Interesting poll...mmm... (Xabi vs Masch)

[Tee]

No competition - I'd sell Alonso. To win the league you need consistency, and Mascherano is as consistent as you can get. Alonso on the other hand, whilst he has just had a very good season, previously come off the back of 2 very poor seasons. God only knows which Alonso will turn up for the new campaign!?

The one that is running the midfield for Spain in the Confederations Cup.

[the rev leeroy brown]

No competition - I'd sell Alonso. To win the league you need consistency, and Mascherano is as consistent as you can get. Alonso on the other hand, whilst he has just had a very good season, previously come off the back of 2 very poor seasons. God only knows which Alonso will turn up for the new campaign!?

but he was very inconsistent last year. there was a time during the season he was getting dropped for his poor performances.

[billy_mac]

Mascherano. He's great at what he does, but ideally I'd like us to be battering teams with our passing in midfield than with Tommy. Barca don't need him at all, they've proved a DM of very good passing ability is as good as if not better than a DM of emense tackling ability. But keep them both as the rest of the team isn't Barca. For me I don't see a reason for Tommy to be playing at home to the lesser teams. I'd have him on the bench and support up front for Torres to unlock the 10 men behind the ball. He would be first man on the team sheet away and against the bigger teams. for 35-40m I'd let him go. An on form Xabi is essential to the ethos of LFC.

[Guest]

No competition - I'd sell Alonso. To win the league you need consistency, and Mascherano is as consistent as you can get. Alonso on the other hand, whilst he has just had a very good season, previously come off the back of 2 very poor seasons. God only knows which Alonso will turn up for the new campaign!?

They're both different players tranny lad so it's not a direct competition as to who goes.

[Red_Polo]

They're both different players tranny lad so it's not a direct competition as to who goes.

Erm..that kind of is what the thread's about though.

Personally I think it would be easier to replace Mascherano - there are more players out there who can efficiently do the dirty work and keep the ball moving than there are players with Alonso's technique, vision and passing ability.

That said I can see the arguments about Xabi having been hot and cold in his career with us and being older than Mascherano. It's also a fair point that we needn't replace with a similar kind of player - however in my opinion it'd be hugely preferable to do so, and for that reason I'd just about say I'd sooner lose Mascherano. Not that I'd be anything other than gutted to see either leave.

[Roboklopp]

Mahser- just. Altho keeping both is key to future success, I think Xabi makes us a more progressive team, & altho there is noone in the world who is as good as a pure DM as Masher is, it would be possible to get a very good DM who offers a bit more going forwards.

[murder_inc]

Id say Xabi because he MAY be easier to replace were as Masher imo is ireplaceable but idealy Id love for the two of them to stay. Two of the best in the world at what they do imo.

[dww]

Erm..that kind of is what the thread's about though.

Personally I think it would be easier to replace Mascherano - there are more players out there who can efficiently do the dirty work and keep the ball moving than there are players with Alonso's technique, vision and passing ability.

That said I can see the arguments about Xabi having been hot and cold in his career with us and being older than Mascherano. It's also a fair point that we needn't replace with a similar kind of player - however in my opinion it'd be hugely preferable to do so, and for that reason I'd just about say I'd sooner lose Mascherano. Not that I'd be anything other than gutted to see either leave.

I actually think the age thing is in Alonso's favour. We really lack top level experience and he has as much of that as any of our players and having been here for the CL win and last seasons PL chase I think he more than balances his reduced time as a salable asset.

I'm not sure that replacing either one for one would be easy actually. Mascher is far more than a Phil Neville style holding midfielder and his combination of mobility, tackling strength and short passing would be very hard to replace. As would Alonso's passing range. I don't think there are one for one replacements that would come in and be anywhere near as good as either who are available. If we sell either we will be looking to alter the balance of the team in one way or another in my view.