Olympics priority over good start in the Premier?

[donrafael]

If next season is THE season to go for No.19... what are your opinions on Levia and Mascherano missing a good part of the start of the new season (depending how far Brazil and Argentina get) by playing for their nations in the Beijing Olympics?

Would leave a bit of a whole/risk in our midfield... particularly if Xabi does get sold... which we all hope he does not...

Mods - poll please:

Should Rafa allow Mascherano and Leiva go to the Olympics?

Yes

No

...I think the answer will be obvious to all, but I wonder if there are contract clauses involved (for the Olympics?)

[fletch_rox]

Well I'd say No, surely LFC is more important that football in the Olympics,
If it was the.. World Cup, or the African Nations I would say yes.
But I don't think much of the Olympics, and especially team games in the Olympics, which I think is a competition for Individuals.
Mods: A vote for NO, please.

[Billy1]

I do not think they can be stopped from going to the Olympics but the respective countries should be made to carry insurance to cover for injuries.Also I think that E.U.F.A.should allow any club whose player suffers a long term injury when representing his country  to sign a replacement if the transfer window is closed,I would vote NO as the Olympics are a sham anyway.

[EddieC]

I think I know what 100% of the answers will be, but I've added a poll as requested anyway

[crouchinho]

I said yes, then read what you's all wrote. I know it may surprise some but Masch IMO deserves to play for his country. He played his heart out for us this season and for him to go play in the Olympics (the biggest sporting event in the world) is an amazing honour for his achievements here. Lucas can go for sure, he hasnt really impressed and time with the national side will help him.

[The Fallen Soldier]

NO simple really

[Venison 86]

I am firmly in the no camp

[kelv78]

Well im not for this but voted yes because what happens if Rafa doesnt let them go will they give their all in the games for us?Every player wants to play for their country and shouldnt be denied the chance.

[clint_call01]

I think they should be allow 'cos they are very happy to represent their country.

[justpanicpeter]

I depends how much preparation he's planning in the pre-season. If the squad is gelled by then, then let them go. If it isnt, they need to show their commitment to our club. This will be an olympics that most people will try to be forgetting anyway, with Tibet and what have you.

[Rafa La Bamba]

Yes

We shouldn't have to rely on these two players and anyway, our results without Javier in the side look pretty impressive. I'm sure letting Javier play in the Olympics won't chance our results, however if it was Torres who was going to be absent during part of our season then I'd be fuming!

Let him go, and see how we can play with just one holding midfielder as two holding midfielders probably slows down our results more.

[Darth Joe]

I think the Olympics will be good for them both, especially Lucas. Isn't he the Brazillian under 20 captain? It would only be good for their development and since the Olympics wouldnt be as intense as the World Cup, so there's chances Argentina and Brazil winning it. A confidence boost from a tournament victory can only return us with 2 young players with more experience and exposure.

Whereas for the club itself I believe in Rafa's ability to make do! IRWT!

[Oldred]

Of course the Olympics are not more important than a good start for us in the Premiership but what we or Rafa think will not make a blind bit of difference.  Lucas and Mascherano want to play for their country so that will be that.

Will it have an effect on our start in the premiership?  Well the answer is it all depends.  Knowing our luck and the Premiership computer we will meet Man U / Arsenal / Chelsea early on.  I wouldn't want to go into any of those games without Mascherano.  Of course it won't be just us who will miss players so we will have to wait and see how it all pans out. 

[lil cisse]

I think we should let them go if they really want to they deserve to be able to represent their country.

Revert back to a 4-4-2 gerrard and Xabi in the centre then we have 2 strikers again.

[eggsterlfc]

I would let lucas go it would give him some experince especially if brazil get far but with masch u just cant let someone of his abillty miss the start of the season

[Venison 86]

From .tv

Rafa was asked

what's the club's position regarding Lucas and Javier Mascherano playing in the Olympics in August?
 
It is two different things. Lucas is in the age range so we cannot say anything if he wants to play in the Olympics. It could be good for him. We need to analyse the position with Mascherano. I was talking with him today and we need to consider everything and then decide. We have time and maybe in a week's time we will decide.

[Magillionare]

I think that if the players want to do it then they should be aloud to. The fact is that we have lots of CM cover so I dont think that it will bear a ver heavy influence. Infact as we made a great start this season then had big blip after the first month, maybe the return of Mash and Lucas will make sure that blip doesnt happen.

[LFC9]

Chelsea lost a few of there Key players to the African nations and look where they are know .
So not sure its that important ,but can see your point

[donrafael]

Wow this is poll is pretty split... very interesting...

[Bpatel]

I think they should be allowed to, we have players that can take over their roles. and plus it would be good for them, especially Lucas who would benefit from the experience, being so young. and also they are passionate about representing their countries.

[LFC9]

The olympic are being held from 8th August to the 24th if we get Man u , Chelsea , Arsenal  or Everton when next seasons fixtures come out, ill be serously pissed if mash is missing .
If we dont then we can cope after all ot only 16 days.You miss more games with a light injury

[5starred]

I always thought the olympics were for amatur athletes and not pro's. once you get paid your no longer a amatur all athletes get money yes but its sponsorship to take them around the world and so on, just like boxing once you turn pro thats it no more olympics. rules may have change I no expert its just what I thought

[king kenny]

The thing is all the European footballers play pointless friendlies even though our FA compensate and postpone our games, but thats not Masch's fault.  Yes the Olympics is not a World Cup, or even a African nations, but if he feels that his country needs him and wants to play, I feel we shouldn't stand in his way.  Most player's are very passionate about their national side and Masch's no different.

[Fowler_ynwa]

I would let them play, although it is a bit of a downer that out of all the over 23 players Argentina could have picked they pick Mascherano. I think it's important to remember that the Olympics is held with high regard in some countries and while it inconveniences us a great deal they'll benefit from representing their country in such a high profile competition, especially Lucas.

[RedScouseLaz]

There should be another option . let lucas go but get masch to stay

[crouchinho]

What about Insua? Would he be in the squad?

[7-King Kenny-7]

I think it all depends on who we sign in the summer because if we have the cover there then I dont think it will make too much difference. Whether or not Lucas plays is'nt down to Rafa because Lucas is the correct age where as Masch is'nt but I would have though Rafa will let him play if he feels the club will cope ok

[7-King Kenny-7]

Also I dont believe a good start means you will be in the title race because we were top at the start and united and chelsea are the ones in the race, it whether or not you can be consistant when you get a good run going and that is something we have lacked where as united and chelsea havent but I am sure we will win it next year

[lfcreds27]

I said No but I would say Yes to Leiva going, after all he won't be starting many of the games he misses but based on Mascherano going, I have to say No because if we are going to challenge we need a good start, so we need a fresh and fit Mascherano.

Anyone else remember what all the players were like after World Cup in 2006, player like Gerrard didn't get going until November time.

[LFC9]

What date does the league start next season?