In Focus: Javier Mascherano
This weekend's In Focus player is 24 year old Argentine defensive midfielder, Javier Mascherano. Mascherano played the role of destroyer and distributor to perfection throughout, and was the best player on the pitch in a 0-0 draw. Keeping an eye on Mascher for an entire game is a beautiful thing to watch. There just are not many players around that do what he does.
Mascher plays with what seems like a boundless amount of energy. He was killing Villan attacks on both sides of the pitch all night. He spent the game running up on Barry, Petrov, and Reo-Coker, and the backs that rushed ahead. Killing attacks before they could start, and ending them when they did, that was his game today. His attacks were filled with pace and control, running up onto a player, cutting off his momentum and his passing lanes at the same time.
When a player did get into the Liverpool half with some pace, Mascher ran that down too. Petrov juked a defender on the right and he came flying in, tackling square on the ball without so much as scraping the Villa winger, who was right on the ball. Perhaps his most impressive play was on a Reo-Coker run in the second half. Reo-Coker had gotten by a pursuing Dossena towards the end line, preparing to either cross or cut into the box with pace. Mascherano came flying in from out of nowhere, square on the ball, causing a corner.
Javi also did some good work on the offensive end. He was really the only Liverpool player running into the Villa half on the ball. His pace was blazing, taking the ball from defense to midfield, or midfield to attack, several times. One of his runs ended in a dangerous situation and a Liverpool corner. His passing was intelligent and efficient, which is his role when they are trying to work it up. He left the long balling, danger passing to Alonso. When not making runs, he kept it simple, while making positive decisions, as opposed to a Lucas Leiva, who was uncontrolled in most work ups.
Mascher did have two mistakes in the game, albeit, both coming after great plays. In the first half, he made a great transition from end to end, after nicking the ball, Javi flew 30 yards down on the Villa defense with great pace. Kuyt running with a world of space on his right, Mascherano shoved a poor pass right into the line of the defender and the play was ended. The other was during a Villa attack, just outside the Liverpool penalty area. Mascherano, ended the challenge, stole the ball, but then gave it away, right up the middle. The play came to nothing, but he did put them in good scoring position with the play. These little hiccups prevent him from getting an A.
For my money, Mascherano has become the best defensive midfielder in the world. And he's only 24. There are some great things to come for this Argentine international. Let's hope Rafa has the good sense to play him in every game.
Grade: A-
Player Grades:
Pepe Reina- B
Didn't have to do all that much. Made a good kick save on Carew in the first half. Dealt with corners well. His distribution was efficient.
Alvaro Arbeloa- C
Wasn't broken down as much as I thought by Ashley Young, but that was do more to the fact that Young wasn't getting any delivery. Alvaro gave up two corners on balls he probably could have headed away more effectively. Created nothing going forward.
Martin Skrtel- B
The young Slovak was a bit erratic and dangerous at times, but kept the Villa forwards in check most of the night. One thing that was a little scary, he kept challenging hard, after receiving a 13th minute yellow card. Played on the edge, as usual, but got away with it.
Jamie Carragher- B+
Carragher made the plays he had to, as usual, and despite not seeing much from Carew and Agbonglahor, was solid when pressured. Along with Reina, handled the Villa corners nicely.
Andrea Dossena- B-
My mix emotions continue on Dossena. He had some good delivery into the box when he came forward, outside of one dreadful mishit rugby shot that flew over the bar and out. Dealt with Reo-Coker and Milner on the right pretty well.
Dirk Kuyt- C
Played wide right in what essentially was a five man midfield (although Rafa might tell you it was a 4-3-3) and did little in attacking. Had an early chance that he pushed wide. Didn't really push up when Torres left the game, but that was probably Rafa's doing.
Xabi Alonso- C
Never really impressed with his corner taking in Gerrard's absence. Xabi failed to put his authority on the game like he could have. I had hoped that he would have pushed up with the Skipper out, but he really just played conservatively. Had a shot deflected high that could have been dangerous.
Lucas Leiva- D+
Played ninety minutes and made little impact on the game. His defense was acceptable, as he picked up on anything Mascher didn't cover. His play on the ball was dreadful, a disappointment after watching him shine for Brazil in the Olympics (outside of his last game against Argentina). He mishandles both accepting and dishing out passes were frustrating. And again, he played ninety minutes. Why did Rafa take out Keane and leave Lucas, oh yeah, that's right he needed that all important draw.
Keane- C+
Much better from Keano today, well at least after Torres left the game. He was moved into a center forward role and played better than he has all year. Laid off two nice balls to Ngog and Alonso, both of which went just over the bar. Actually looked semi-competent on the ball. Was taken down on his breakaway, probably could have been called a penalty.
Fernando Torres- C-
Injured in the 27th minute, but did little before that. El Nino had little service to speak of and not much chance to create. Tried to run on to a few balls, but never got anything going. His presence alone can put off defenders, that was really his only impact.
David Ngog- D
The 19 year-old had one good run onto a Keane pass, and fired it just high of the bar. Did virtually nothing in the second half. Why is he the only option to go in for the world's best striker? Wouldn't that have been the perfect time to give Babel a chance at striker? Rafa, sweet, Rafa.
Fabio Aurelio- C
Came on for Kuyt and just held things down on the left with Dossena, switching up on forward runs with the Italian defender.
Yossi Benayoun- C-
Came on for Keane and failed to create any of the magic that he is capable of. Could be because Rafa put him on for the only forward that could create any space for that magic, but I'm sure Rafa knows what he's doing. You're a peach Gaffer.
Man of the Match: Javier Mascherano
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment