Mascherano

[Bender]

Rafa Benitez has revealed Liverpool FC midfielder Javier Mascherano has yet to return from international duty with Argentina having picked up a pelvic injury in midweek.

It was initially believed he had just returned late, but Benitez said: "He has still not returned. He picked up an injury and it was decided that he needed to have tests.

"Our doctor was in contact with the Argentina medical team and it was decided it was best that he stay there for the tests, and he will be back in England next week before the Champions League game [against Debrecen].

"The problem was a minor one, but we needed to have the checks made straight away."

[Rafael Benítez Maudes]

give him the week off.

get him back for the game next weekend.

[DannyMan2006]

give him the week off.

get him back for the game next weekend.

Agreed. Debrecen should not be under estimated but in reality they should be the whipping boys in the group and dispatched with relative ease. Our links with MTK Hungaria should stand us in good stead for this tie.

[cream]

Not really a big problem. IMO, even if he were fit, either him or Lucas would would've been on the bench.

[Exiled_red]

Lets hope the injury is sorted out quickly

[Guest]

Apparently he was doing an Elvis whilst his pelvis twisted.

*Runs for cover*

[EwarWoo]

IMO, even if he were fit, either him or Lucas would would've been on the bench.

No ****?

I think it would have been Lucas of the 2 but, however he performed well, so yes, wasn't a big deal.

Could have been different against tougher opposition, but it wasn't so we can relax and let Mascher relax too.

[Nicey]

I am hoping Masher has the maturity and good sense to not let the whole Barca thing effect him, if he wants to go to Barca theres only one way he will make it a reality and thats to continue to put in worldclass performances ... he has been a little off the pace thus far and he shoots far to often for a player who could not score in a Brothel

[Norbs]

No ****?

I think it would have been Lucas of the 2 but, however he performed well, so yes, wasn't a big deal.

Could have been different against tougher opposition, but it wasn't so we can relax and let Mascher relax too.

I'm pretty sure that we'd have seen Riera on the bench, Gerrard in his favoured position and both Mascha & Lucas in the middle.

[Bender]

I am hoping Masher has the maturity and good sense to not let the whole Barca thing effect him, if he wants to go to Barca theres only one way he will make it a reality and thats to continue to put in worldclass performances ... he has been a little off the pace thus far and he shoots far to often for a player who could not score in a Brothel

He'll be a Barca player next season.......They want to sign Mascherano and Fabregas......they couldn't last season as they spent £30million+ on Zaltan ibrahimovich

[EwarWoo]

I'm pretty sure that we'd have seen Riera on the bench, Gerrard in his favoured position and both Mascha & Lucas in the middle.

Ahhhh. I conveniently forgot about that option, maybe it was denial at work. Sorry cream, I take back the "no ****" sarcasm, it was incorrect.

[wiw]

He was terrible in his last game, no biggie atm this

[dww]

He was terrible in his last game, no biggie atm this

I think it is quite important given our lack of squad depth. It has come at a time when we can probably cope and might in fact benefit Lucas and or one of the young players on the squad fringes. However at the same time I would rather we were either a/ settling in to our new style with Lucas and Mascherano attempting to gel in CM or b/ coming up with a different option with all the possible players we might use in our first choice XI available for selection.

[Kenneth]

Debrecen should not be under estimated but in reality they should be the whipping boys in the group and dispatched with relative ease.

[Norbs]

Ahhhh. I conveniently forgot about that option, maybe it was denial at work. Sorry cream, I take back the "no ****" sarcasm, it was incorrect.

To be fair, I'd prefer to follow your line of thought on this one, the truth is sometimes a little harder to take