There’s been debate for a while among Liverpool fans about if the central midfield partnership of Brazilian Lucas and Argentine captain Javier Mascherano really works. Yesterdays game against Manchester United went a long way to proving it does, but only when the right tactics are employed.
In most games this season we’ve seen both Lucas and Mascherano held back in deep defensive midfield roles, rarely given the freedom to break forward and try to create something for the forward players or go for goal themselves. Even the odd time that Mascherano has got forward it’s normally only for an unlikely long range shot which goes wide or is rounded up by the opposition keeper with relative ease. This is the major problem with playing both players in a defensive role, it doesn’t just restrict them, it restricts the rest of the team and our number of chances on goal.
Against Manchester United it was a different story, both Lucas and Mascherano were given the freedom to move forward and try and set something up. I don’t know whether it was because the pressure was on for a result or whether Rafa just thought it was time for a change but it worked. Both players had brilliant games, with many claiming the much-criticised Lucas was the man-of-the-match against our bitter rivals. I’ve got to say I partly agree, he made some good forward runs, creating chances and even set up David N’gog’s stoppage time goal. At the same time neither player ignored their defensive duties. They knew that against a team as strong going forward as Manchester United they’d have to be on the ball and they’d have to be back supporting Carragher and Agger.
So, will we see this again, or will Rafa opt to tell them both to stay deep? Well, I fully expect both Lucas and Mascherano to be let off their leash again in upcoming fixtures. Against United both proved they can be in the right position at the right time, they won’t stray to far forward and leave us exposed at the back. It shows how much both want to be in the squad, they played with a level of dedication that is synonymous with Liverpool F.C of yesteryear and long may it continue into the future.
M. Owen
michael@empireofthekop.com
Great piece Michael. Hopefully Rafa will use Lucas and Masch like this again. Scholes and Carrick were completely nullified for the whole game.
I think Lucas has been doing this for most of the season but has not been recognised for his work rate like a kuyt does.
To be honest after Torres he has possibly been our best player this season.The only other players you could put in front of him is Reina and Johnson.
It was obvious that Johnson and Insua were told to hang back to counter Valencia and Evra going down the flanks and this maybe aforded Lucas and Masch more freedom to go forward as they did not have to worry about covering for those players when they go on there overlaping runs down the line. Against the Teams that park the bus the width they give us is vital as there is very little space for the centre midfielders to take advantage of so I can see Rafa telling them to hang back a little.
It was only Phil Neville’s hand of Godzille that has prevented Lucas having a song sung about him and having the respect that he deserves
This was a nice read and i’m still bouncing.
they totally conquered the midfield like that yesterday. Rafa should do this more often.
Right on Michael.
Spot on article Michael!
I believe numbers do all the talking.Lucas 39 passes 38 successful with 1 assist.Macherano 31 passes 29 successful.Great game.Great win.Still bouncing.YNWA.
Well their workrate is not debatable,but let me temper a bit the fever going around.Yesterday,Lucas did miss all his aerial struggles in midfield,even the easiest balls were free to flow over his head.And so did Benayoun.All the game long we never put MUFC backline to danger during set pieces or corners,from MUFC point of view there were only Agger(MOTM for me)and Torres to cope with during set pieces.Only 02 players out of 6 that are worth it in the box,isn’t it a weird situation,surely it is. I frankly begin to regret the days of Crouchy and Hyppia.
Besides Lucas still has no ability to put his name on the score sheet,yesterday he missed a glorious chance after a rebound in the 2nd half and his pass to kuyt on the counter was a bit late.
All in all we can’t play with two midfielders who are both so weak in the air. So let Aquilani begin please,he is tall and he can bring a better duelling ability in the air.
@ momoofalgiers
Who did score the only goal in Bernabu then?