A question of quality and quantity in Reds' midfield (ESPN article)

[tlw content]

In 2007, Liverpool fans had a song that paid homage to the "best midfield in the world." While the validity of that boast was questioned by some outside of Anfield, the mere fact that such a claim could not be immediately scoffed at was evidence enough of the undoubted quality that Liverpool possessed in the middle of the pitch.

 

As the song explained: "We've got Xabi Alonso, Momo Sissoko, Gerrard and Mascherano-oh-oh." Quite a quartet, wasn't it? Liverpool reached the final of the Champions League that year, largely on the back of the strength of their midfield, as well as a solid back four. To put it in some kind of perspective, the side that lost to AC Milan in Athens in 2007 had a front three of Jermaine Pennant, Dirk Kuyt and Bolo Zenden. You might want to read that last sentence again just to let it sink in.

 

Lucas Leiva would arrive to further bolster the midfield ranks that summer, but he was little more than an afterthought in his early years and was some distance behind the others. And to be brutally honest, if those players had remained at the club, he'd still be some distance behind most of them. The one exception would appear to be Mohamed "Momo" Sissoko, currently without a club after being released by Paris Saint-Germain.

 

Given his less-than-stellar final year at Anfield and the way his career has gone since his departure, it's easy to forget just how good Sissoko was at one time. Certainly, the Sissoko of 2006 vintage would be a huge asset to Liverpool's present midfield, but for whatever reason the 2013 version is struggling to find a home, despite being only 28 years old.

 

The Mali international was a revelation after joining Liverpool from Valencia, and his monstrous display in the FA Cup final win over West Ham is often overlooked due to the heroics of Steven Gerrard. That game is understandably known as "the Gerrard final" and yet -- the captain's goal heroics aside -- Sissoko was comfortably Liverpool's best player over the 120 minutes. With players dropping like flies due to cramps, Sissoko's incredible stamina and running power kept Liverpool in that game. He was everywhere, and at just 22 he appeared to have a big Anfield future ahead of him. Circumstances would dictate otherwise.

 

The following season, Momo suffered two serious injuries, and his role as the midfield enforcer was taken on by Javier Mascherano, signed initially on loan from West Ham United in January 2007 before making the move permanent the following summer. Mascherano's quality meant that the young Mali international was never able to force his way back into the side. There's no shame in that, as there probably wasn't a defensive midfield player in the land who could have kept Mascherano on the sideline at that time. Except Hayden Mullins, of course, and even he must have been wondering exactly what Alan Pardew was thinking with that one.

 

Read the rest of the article here.

 

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[Bad Red Bull]

Momo was superb until his eye injury. He was never the same after that. What a player! One just needs to look at the Youtube compilation of him vs Chelsea and how he dominated their players. I shudder when I think of the options we had. Those were the days!

[spider-neil]

I'd take a pre injury Lucas, where just before the injury he was in simply irresistible form over Mash as I didn't think Mash use of the ball was good enough. I've been waiting for that Lucas to return but with every month that goes by it doesn't look like he will ever be able to attain that level again.

Watch the Man City and Chelsea away games where Lucas is every where, it's a fucking masterclass.

 

Alonso is the massive loss. He pulled the strings he dictated the play and when we were under the cosh (usually away from home) he had the intelligence and skill to slow the pace of the game down. He hasn't been replaced. I'd take the current vintage of Alonso right now as it's not like he has any pace to lose. A massive loss that we're still feeling.

[Lee909]

Even pre injury Lucas isn't on the same planet as Macherano for me.Its close between Macherano and Didi for me both both are miles ahead of Lucas.

[spider-neil]

Even pre injury Lucas isn't on the same planet as Macherano for me.Its close between Macherano and Didi for me both both are miles ahead of Lucas.

Each to their own but I like holding midfielders to win the ball and give it accurately and for me that wasn't Mash and I don't think it's a coincidence he is used at centre back where distribution is less of an issue.

[Skidfingers McGonical]

Cracking article that really hits home at the level of quality we need in our midfield. I have said in the past that I like Henderson and Lucas, however I do believe they are more suited to be squad players in a side of quality.

 

Luicas will never be pre-injury Lucas, which is a great shame as he was looking like that player his supporters felt he could be.

 

Midfield needs addressing big time in January and I will be angry if it is not. I will be questioning Rodgers decision making if we don't, as it will damage our chances for the remainder of the season.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

I think we need three first team players, two of them midfield. Then, in the summer, we can look again at adding a fullback or two and a striker. It'd also see us be able to move on past the Gerrard years. My picks would be Matic, Fernando and Konoplyanka. That would allow us to play a three man midfield of Matic, Fernando and Coutinho, and a front three of Suarez, Sturridge and Konoplyanka. Winning.

[cochyn]

Hahaha! Love the little dig at Pardew there - quality.

[Pureblood]

Ouch. I didn't like reading that. Needlessly disrespectful to Dirk Kuyt and it got worse from there.

[cochyn]

Momo's out of contract you say...?

 

Always wondered how Agger would fare as a DM - he reads the game well, comfortable in possession and knows how to push forward from deep. This might be his chance given the quality we have at CB.

[Dr. J]

We simply can't play Gerrard and Lucas together against a team with a good midfield - results have shown that. Henderson does the running for both and ends up doing nothing else. How many times have we been overrun in midfield already?

 

If Henderson is anywhere near healthy against spuds we'll see a different possibility.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Ouch. I didn't like reading that. Needlessly disrespectful to Dirk Kuyt and it got worse from there.

Did it do anything to change you opinion, or are you still resolute about there being nothing wrong with our midfield?

[spider-neil]

We need a player like Pogba (Manu are fucking CLUELESS for releasing him) a brute of a player, who has technique, pace, raw strength and the mobilty AND the ability do something with the ball once he has won it. If you gave Juve a good fee I think the'd sell.

[Skidfingers McGonical]

Ouch. I didn't like reading that. Needlessly disrespectful to Dirk Kuyt and it got worse from there.

 

Get a grip Martin, it wasn't at all.

 

Especially when you compare the attacking options with that midfield.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

We need a player like Pogba (Manu are fucking CLUELESS for releasing him) a brute of a player, who has technique, pace, raw strength and the mobilty AND the ability do something with the ball once he has won it. If you gave Juve a good fee I think the'd sell.

Based on what?

[Pureblood]

Did it do anything to change you opinion, or are you still resolute about there being nothing wrong with our midfield?

I'm happy with our options when everyone's fit. With Allen back in the fold it's looking even better in the middle of the park. I'd welcome another midfielder in January to keep everyone on their toes.

[Pureblood]

Get a grip Martin, it wasn't at all.

 

Get fucked. I'm entitled to pass comment.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

I'm happy with our options when everyone's fit. With Allen back in the fold it's looking even better in the middle of the park. I'd welcome another midfielder in January to keep everyone on their toes.

I accidentally repped your other post trying to quote this one. I was going to make a ballet joke about keeping people on their toes. The moment has passed. It wasn't very funnny anyway. Sigh.

[s(k)aturation]

 

To put it in some kind of perspective, the side that lost to AC Milan in Athens in 2007 had a front three of Jermaine Pennant, Dirk Kuyt and Bolo Zenden. You might want to read that last sentence again just to let it sink in.

 

Goodness, I really must have been drunk at the time.

[spider-neil]

Based on what?

 

Pogba being a good player or Juve willing to sell?

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Pogba being a good player or Juve willing to sell?

Selling to us.

[spider-neil]

Selling to us.

 

Aren't Italian teams broke?

[beejay]

We might not be in this predicament if we had kept Suso & Shelvey, both of whom are doing well with their new clubs.

 

Dave's right, we should be buying better players but selling or loaning good players without replacing them is not a good strategy.

 

If we can hang on to a top 4 place going into the January transfer window we might look an attractive option for a top class midfielder so here's hoping

[spider-neil]

We might not be in this predicament if we had kept Suso & Shelvey, both of whom are doing well with their new clubs.

 

Dave's right, we should be buying better players but selling or loaning good players without replacing them is not a good strategy.

 

If we can hang on to a top 4 place going into the January transfer window we might look an attractive option for a top class midfielder so here's hoping

 

Suso's developement will be better in the long term. Shelvey was a little too thick to be of much use.

[spider-neil]

http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2013/12/11/sneijder-goal-means-juventus-must-fight-to-keep-pogba/

 

Get in there before it's too late.