Mascherano at right back...

[alias75]

Did really well there yesterday, gave the team plenty of energy which is something we really lack. Given that performance would you try him there more often especially in those home games when he might not figure in midfield?

 

He does play at a high tempo which is something we need in that type of game, at times yesterday it was like he was playing at twice the speed compared to some.

 

Rather than him not play at all in certain home games would you play him at right back and give us that energy?

[Cunny]

He did play well but I'd rather have a specialist decent right back there.

Especially, if the opposition have a decent left midfielder/winger.

[Dan]

Rafa did an odd interview with R5 on this issue. When asked if it was tactical he said "no, he had to play there today" - he repeated this answer a couple of times. Sounded like another thinly veiled attack on Carra which is the last thing we need.

[Chili Palmer]

Rafa did an odd interview with R5 on this issue. When asked if it was tactical he said "no, he had to play there today" - he repeated this answer a couple of times. Sounded like another thinly veiled attack on Carra which is the last thing we need.

 

 

noticed that too, thats both Skrtel and Masch have got praise for 'putting the team first'

[Magic8Ball]

Rafa did an odd interview with R5 on this issue. When asked if it was tactical he said "no, he had to play there today" - he repeated this answer a couple of times. Sounded like another thinly veiled attack on Carra which is the last thing we need.

Hope it wasn't because Carra refused to play RB! - Having said that I don't see why Darby wasn't played there

 

Why do we have to play Carra every game? He could clearly do with a rest and resting him would allow us to play Agger or Hyppia

I'll get flamed for this, but playing Carra EVERY GAME is holding us back. I've noticed our defense is letting in more goals, surely now's the time to rest some of the defense?

[Chili Palmer]

Hope it wasn't because Carra refused to play RB! - Having said that I don't see why Darby wasn't played there

 

Why do we have to play Carra every game? He could clearly do with a rest and resting him would allow us to play Agger or Hyppia

I'll get flamed for this, but playing Carra EVERY GAME is holding us back. I've noticed our defense is letting in more goals, surely now's the time to rest some of the defense?

 

Darby was injured.

[MFletcher]

One of the commentators last night mentioned that Carra 'asked not to play there'.

 

What's the deal with that exactly? 500+ games or not, you play where you're asked to.

[alias75]

Interesting about Carragher, if he asked not to play there against Boro too id imagine Rafa wouldn't be that happy with him because having Skrtel playing out there certainly handicapped us in that game.

 

The one thing you'd expect from Carragher is he'd put the team first.

 

As for Mascherano im not suggesting playing him there all the time but there are a number of home games where he's not really needed in midfield instead of losing him from the team altogether at least now there is another option, we badly need that type of drive and energy.

[Mike]

he asked not to play there because his legs were dead. this has been covered.

 

i agree about playing hyypia for one of them at the mo and then agger when he is back. neither carra or skrtl have been on top form of lately.

[alias75]

he asked not to play there because his legs were dead. this has been covered.

 

i agree about playing hyypia for one of them at the mo and then agger when he is back. neither carra or skrtl have been on top form of lately.

 

Ok thats slightly different then. Surprised he didn't play there against Boro though, was that the managers decision or did Carra also feel tired for that one?

[MFletcher]

Apart from the Jones chance in the third minute, I thought Skrtel had a fine game. Composed, strong in the tackle and seemingly in control of everything he was doing.

[baz2107]

The worry is whether Arbeloa will be fit for the Madrid game next week, nothing against Mascherano's performance as a right back he'd be fine, its just this is the type of game we need him in the midfield.

 

Can't see Darby playing, so its going to have to be Skrtel you'd have thought if Carra won't play there which is bang out of order if true.

 

On another note nobody ever says anything about a right footed player playing left back which we've had over the years but you'd never play a left footer at right back!!!

[bazz]

If Carra's legs are "too dead" for playing at Right Back, then maybe he needs a rest altogether?

 

Or maybe they are waiting for Agger to get back fit to give him that rest, but for some reason, I doubt he will take the rest...

[anny road]

twice Masch charged over to left back to get a tackle in....

 

he can get away with that in mdfield he cant at right back

 

he it no ful back

[Chili Palmer]

twice Masch charged over to left back to get a tackle in....

 

he can get away with that in mdfield he cant at right back

 

he it no ful back

 

 

No, his positional sense for that position isn't quite right, did a good enough job yesterday, but I would worry against a more attacking team.

[sutty]

twice Masch charged over to left back to get a tackle in....

 

he can get away with that in mdfield he cant at right back

 

he it no ful back

 

 

Harsh Dave

 

I think he was outstanding there and is possibly the answer to the long term overlapping full back issue we've had.

 

He was like Zanetti, but he owned the whole field rather than just the right hand side.

[alias75]

No, his positional sense for that position isn't quite right, did a good enough job yesterday, but I would worry against a more attacking team.

 

Think the point is against those teams that come to attack at Anfield you'd want him in midfield, the games im talking about are the sort of game we've drawn at home this season where teams come to defend. In that type of game having fullbacks that can get forward well is probably more important than having fullbacks that can defend or are sound positionally (although im sure that would come with more games there)

[MFletcher]

So we're going to play one of the world's foremost defensive midfielders at right back?

 

It's not a long-term solution. It's a handy option to have in the event of injury/suspension/in-game reshuffling, but I'd rather have Masch in the middle of the park.

[Swipe]

There's no way he'll accept playing out of position permanently.

 

He's just been made captain of his country.

[Bigal]

There's no way he'll accept playing out of position permanently.

 

He's just been made captain of his country.

 

dont shine that torch in my face mate,

 

I have just lost a pint of blood, reminded me of that for some reason.

 

Where he plays for his country should and doesnt count a jot.

[Magic8Ball]

The worry is whether Arbeloa will be fit for the Madrid game next week, nothing against Mascherano's performance as a right back he'd be fine, its just this is the type of game we need him in the midfield.

 

Can't see Darby playing, so its going to have to be Skrtel you'd have thought if Carra won't play there which is bang out of order if true.

 

On another note nobody ever says anything about a right footed player playing left back which we've had over the years but you'd never play a left footer at right back!!!

 

"Benitez is clearly running out of options at right-back with Alvaro Arbeloa still injured. Jamie Carragher seems not to fancy the job any more so Mascherano was removed from his critical ball-winning midfield role to fill the void."

 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...15875-21169280/

 

we don't know the reasons for Carra not wanting to play at RB. if its coz he thinks he's a CH then he's handicapping the team. if its coz he's too tired to run then he needs a rest at CH. either-way its not good IMO

[sutty]

Best full back at the club Mascherano is.

[DanielS]

Best full back at the club Mascherano is.

 

Nope. Gerrard is better. Both are world class in their preferred positions though.

[Bailo]

if its coz he's too tired to run then he needs a rest at CH. either-way its not good IMO

I was surprised to see Carra play yesterday, with him being a booking away from missing the mancs, but maybe Rafa felt Masch at RB and Hyypia at CB was too much disruption.

[carrafan]

Best full back at the club Mascherano is.

 

I'd like to see Arbeloa get back to full fitness asap.