Mascherano says will only play for Liverpool

[desertscouser]

Ayala

At this very moment in time I'd rather have Carragher than Ayala but admittedly they are both very similar players.

[Red Chilli]

It might be a joke to you but it isn't to me. Carragher is world class...of that there is absolutely no doubt. Is there a central defender on this planet that would give us more in terms of consistent perfromances and such a never say die attitude? I'll answer that for you...no.

Too right.

I think it was Maradonna who said "Forget about all the fancy tricks, I could do all that standing on my head. It's about how you use your ability to affect a game". Carra is living proof of this, he may not be able to beat 8 players before sliding the ball in the back of the net, but he uses what ability he has to world class effect

[desertscouser]

Just read on the Norwegian site about Mascher.

Bascombe wrote that there had been meetings with MSI and LFC this week, and that apparently Rafa thinks that 17 mill is not the right valuation. Rafa said he was willing to pay 10 mill.

I have, naturally, no idea if this is the case or not.

I don't believe Rafa would be that stupid because that's what a 10 million valuation of Mascherano is...stupid.

[El Jefecito]

At this very moment in time I'd rather have Carragher than Ayala but admittedly they are both very similar players.

Ayala, was the ultimate stopper. But you are right, for the here and now, Carra is probably better.

[Shanks]

Ayala

34 and plays for Real Zaragoza. (Woopydoo)..

Had a good career at Valencia etc BUT
are you saying we should take him over Carra at this moment in time?

[Red Chilli]

Just read on the Norwegian site about Mascher.

Bascombe wrote that there had been meetings with MSI and LFC this week, and that apparently Rafa thinks that 17 mill is not the right valuation. Rafa said he was willing to pay 10 mill.

I have, naturally, no idea if this is the case or not.

Bascombe. :shrugs:

Sell out, no decent sources

[tomasjj]

I don't believe Rafa would be that stupid because that's what a 10 million valuation of Mascherano is...stupid.

Yeah, I can see that.
Maybe they are negotiating at this stage, and Rafa feels quite confident that Mascher wants to stay.
It sounds like a high gamble though, and I suspect the report is BS.

[tomasjj]

Bascombe. :shrugs:

Sell out, no decent sources

Quite possible.
Just mentioning it.

[desertscouser]

Too right.

I think it was Maradonna who said "Forget about all the fancy tricks, I could do all that standing on my head. It's about how you use your ability to affect a game". Carra is living proof of this, he may not be able to beat 8 players before sliding the ball in the back of the net, but he uses what ability he has to world class effect

He's the sort of player every fan in this country wishes their team had one of. There aren't many LFC fans that wouldn't conisder him world class but then again there may be the odd few who would prefer Ferdinand or Vidic playing for LFC instead.

[Red Chilli]

Quite possible.
Just mentioning it.

Yeah i know, cheers for adding it

[Red Chilli]

He's the sort of player every fan in this country wishes their team had one of. There aren't many LFC fans that wouldn't conisder him world class but then again there may be the odd few who would prefer Ferdinand or Vidic playing for LFC instead.

I've heard Manc ***** praising Carragher.
He's a modern day Franco Baresi in my book. If I had to compare him to a Manc it would be Dennis Irwin. Nothing spectacular, but Mr. dependable. If there's one thing a manager wants it's players they can rely on, Carra is the most reliable defender in the league right now. It's only because the FA are clueless ****wits that Carra hasn't got 100 caps.

[El Jefecito]

34 and plays for Real Zaragoza. (Woopydoo)..

Had a good career at Valencia etc BUT
are you saying we should take him over Carra at this moment in time?

See my subsequent post. My point was that Ayala was the player that Carra would have loved to have been.

[desertscouser]

Ayala, was the ultimate stopper. But you are right, for the here and now, Carra is probably better.

He's definitely better than a 34yr old Ayala but the Argentine was definitely one of my favourite centre backs in recent times. It would be interesting to hear what Rafa would say about who was better in their prime...Carra or Ayala. I reckon he'd go for Carra...

[El Jefecito]

He's definitely better than a 34yr old Ayala but the Argentine was definitely one of my favourite centre backs in recent times. It would be interesting to hear what Rafa would say about who was better in their prime...Carra or Ayala. I reckon he'd go for Carra...

No way. Ayala was imperious.

[Dhav]

I don't believe Rafa would be that stupid because that's what a 10 million valuation of Mascherano is...stupid.

Yep, have to agree wholeheartedly with DS on this one. I say with absolute certainty that Rafa recognises the worth of Mascherano to our team and knows what his value is.

Assuming tomas' post taken from the Norwegian source is accurate this could be some sort of game of chess Rafa is playing trying to drive Mascher's price down. The player himself has declared how desperate he is to stay at the club and Rafa could be using this as a bargaining chip to force the valuation down.

I'm also sure Rafa would pay the £17m price tag if that is what is required to secure him permanently. The guy is young and world class, and if we ever did want rid surely the sell-on fee would be higher than £17m?