Rafa Spot On With Mascherano
 (1/02/2007) Our tactical expert Abhishek Thakur believes that Rafa Benitez is finally getting his act together by leaving his obsession with wingers behind, and argues that Javier Mascherano is actually a fabulous signing, albeit in disguise at the moment.
On the face of it, Mascheranos move looks like more of a rescue mission, with Benitez handing him another lifeline following a torrid spell at Upton Park. It also looks like it is better for him than for Liverpool.
Where does he fit in? ask Liverpool fans. Are we going to put Xabi Alonso or Gerrard on the bench?
What a waste, go those further on the extreme. He couldnt command a place at West Ham, what is he going to do at Liverpool.
To attempt to answer these questions, allow me to take a step backwards and look at Rafas new system.
Obviously born out of frustration with wingers, this new version is as Dutch as it gets. Well, almost, as it is not quite the typical 3-4-3, but something closer to Rijkaards version of 4-3-3, despite what the Premieship pundits believe.
Yes, Rafa plays three Carragher, Hyypia and Agger at the back, with Riise and Finnan as the wing-backs, but a closer look suggests that one of those three is constantly playing the holding midfield role. At Barcelona, Edmilson does the business, covering Deco and Xavi (read Gerrard and Xabi Alonso) when attacking, and slipping back to support Puyol and Marquez when defending.
It is here that Mascherano comes in. He is not really competing with Xabi Alonso and Gerrard for a starting spot, but actually with Momo Sissoko, and maybe Agger. With Agger likely to be rotated with Hyypia and Carragher, the third defensive / midfield spot is his for the taking.
Here is my final piece of evidence to back everything up. Many are not aware, but Mascherano has also played regularly as a centre-half in his River Plate (pre-Corinthians) days. That makes him the ideal candidate for this third defensive berth.
Some would naturally ask: Isnt it back to the three man midfield we have paid for in the past?
Well, yes and no. Yes, because the set up looks similar. No, because that was a 4-5-1, inherently more defensive than the current 4-3-3 (3-4-3 if it makes your day). The three up front will move towards goal rather than away from it, and Riise and Finnan will be urged to push on and offer width to support the three forwards, though the latters spot is now tailor-made for Daniel Alves (dont be surprised if the Sevilla sizzler is at Anfield very soon).
I predict Luis Garcia to take Bellamys spot when he returns from injury, and also see Mark Gonzalez now excelling in this more 'Hispanic' role, so to speak, in the meantime.
That, however, is the subject of another article wingers. For now, I would simply like to urge the Premiership to keep the jury out on Mascherano, and look forward to him playing this holding-midfield-cum-centre-half role with distinction.
Abhishek Thakur (from GOAL.COM)
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(1/02/2007) Our tactical expert Abhishek Thakur believes that Rafa Benitez is finally getting his act together by leaving his obsession with wingers behind, and argues that Javier Mascherano is actually a fabulous signing, albeit in disguise at the moment.
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