Javier's leg too Masched to play...

[Red_Polo]

I honestly think that people think the CB/DM switch (or the reverse) is much easier than it is. The balls you have to defend come at different points and the risk areas are very different. I can't think of a single player who has converted after establishing themselves in one position and moved to the other with great success. About the best I can come up with is Phil Neville and that is debatable on a number of levels. I guess players like Helguera and Hierro did it and Madrid and Marquez can do it at Barcelona but Spanish footballs slower pace may make the transition easier.

Desailly

I think if Masch were to be out for the Inter game it would be a blow obviously, but it's the games we're chasing we need him over Xabi most. If we're hitting people on the break we shouldn't be dealing with fast breakaways through the middle very often so Xabi's lack of mobility won't be such a problem.

[carlton]

They'll have to saw his leg off for him to miss the Milan game. Noble is a right cun*t though for doing that to him so late in the game.

[zimbo]

Thats an interesting view. Mine is that the two deeper midfield positions can accommodate quite a lot of individual flexibility so long as both players are disciplined defensively and that the key to the system working well is having wide players that join the striker when possible, hold the ball up and at least one of them offer pace on the counter. Which is why I think the key for Inter is to ensure we have Babel and Kuyt fit and ready to start as they have filled these positions excellently of late.

I think you are right to point out that Mascher is the best option as one of the two deep positions in that his mobility and covering allows his partner more freedom and effectively the option of an extra man in attack when needed. However this is to me a bonus to add to the system rather than a key to get it working.

Agreed in the main. But with the 4-2-3-1 system the defensive midfield position takes on increased significance, as the wide men are generally occupying space higher up the pitch.

I think without Mascherano we could leave ourselves open to swift counter-attacks (although Alonso's positional nouse will hopefully go some way to compensate). I'm less convinced that Lucas can fill the Mascherano role effectively (not having a pop at him, he's progressing well - but he needs another year or so in my view to grasp whats expected, given that he appears to be more comfortable playing in advance of the defensive midfielder), and the upshot is likely be Gerrard dropping deeper, with Torres becoming isolated up front.

Against Newcastle, I'm sure we'll cope. But against a fired-up Milan I'm just a bit concerned we'll be asking too much of Lucas. I could even see Rafa going with 3 centre backs if there's no Mascherano, maybe trying a 5-4-1??

[dww]

Desailly

I think if Masch were to be out for the Inter game it would be a blow obviously, but it's the games we're chasing we need him over Xabi most. If we're hitting people on the break we shouldn't be dealing with fast breakaways through the middle very often so Xabi's lack of mobility won't be such a problem.

Good call on Desailly, twas a big omission, although he was a truly exceptional player. I was actually going to put still playing but couldn't think of anyone who had done it even vaguely recently.

[Joe King]

I honestly think that people think the CB/DM switch (or the reverse) is much easier than it is. The balls you have to defend come at different points and the risk areas are very different. I can't think of a single player who has converted after establishing themselves in one position and moved to the other with great success. About the best I can come up with is Phil Neville and that is debatable on a number of levels. I guess players like Helguera and Hierro did it and Madrid and Marquez can do it at Barcelona but Spanish footballs slower pace may make the transition easier.

Carra?

That was a cheeky one. I seriously think he has the ability to play there. He has the defensive mindset already whether he has the positional ability, well we don't know.

[-V-]

Few days rest and he should be ok for Tuesday. Calm down its only a dead leg. Jeez

[Parr_Zee]

If Mascherano doesnt make the Inter game, I am gonna hunt down that cockney nob Mark Noble, and kick his ass!!

It was a shocking challenge by that prick.

[Craig_H]

Few days rest and he should be ok for Tuesday. Calm down its only a dead leg. Jeez

It doesnt say it's a dead leg.

[Red_Polo]

I may be talking **** here, but this just popped into my head - didn't Sami play defensive mid for us in the not too distant past?

Also, feel guilty for not mentioning Emlyn Hughes earlier

I agree with dww though, transitions like that are a lot harder to make than people often realise. For one off occasions, ok, but I think we've got enough depth to deal with Mascher being out for a couple of games without resorting to that. Personally, I reckon he could well be back for Inter anyway.

[Craig_H]

It wouldnt be a disaster if we ended up with Skrtel and Sami (or Agger if fit) at CB and Carra alongside Xabi in front of the back four.

[carheex]

It wouldnt be a disaster if we ended up with Skrtel and Sami (or Agger if fit) at CB and Carra alongside Xabi in front of the back four.

Indeed it wouldn't. Didn't JC win the LFC player of the year award as midfielder when he first came on the scene?

[Shaggy]

I may be talking **** here, but this just popped into my head - didn't Sami play defensive mid for us in the not too distant past?

Also, feel guilty for not mentioning Emlyn Hughes earlier

I agree with dww though, transitions like that are a lot harder to make than people often realise. For one off occasions, ok, but I think we've got enough depth to deal with Mascher being out for a couple of games without resorting to that. Personally, I reckon he could well be back for Inter anyway.

I don't ever recall Sami playing DM for us but he apparently played there quite a lot for Willem II....which I find very hard to envisage. You need at the very least a degree of mobility to play that role and Sami's a bit 'stiff'....a bit upright.

I also agree with dww - they are two very different positions (I've played in both) that require a different mindset completely.

[Red_Polo]

I don't ever recall Sami playing DM for us but he apparently played there quite a lot for Willem II....which I find very hard to envisage. You need at the very least a degree of mobility to play that role and Sami's a bit 'stiff'....a bit upright.

I also agree with dww - they are two very different positions (I've played in both) that require a different mindset completely.

Exactly, out of all our CBs, he'd be the last you'd expect to play there! I'm sure he played there for us recently...hmmmm...

Edit: lol knew I wasn't going insane

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6914985.stm

http://www.lfconline.com/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=310928

[Shaggy]

Exactly, out of all our CBs, he'd be the last you'd expect to play there! I'm sure he played there for us recently...hmmmm...

Edit: lol knew I wasn't going insane

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6914985.stm

http://www.lfconline.com/news/loadne...TMNW&id=310928

Haha oh yeah, *that* friendly.