Mascherano Gets Olympics Call Up

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has been named in Argentina's squad for the Olympic Games in August.

The 24-year-old is one of the three overage players allowed in the Under-23 squad for the Games in Beijing.

Mascherano will now miss the start of the Reds' season, including both legs of their Champions League third-round qualifier on 12 and 27 August.

He is joined in the 18-man squad by Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero.

Mascherano's absence will be a blow for Reds boss Rafael Benitez as the Argentine has developed into a crucial member of his side in the holding midfield role.

Liverpool's young left-back Emiliano Insua is on Argentina's standby list and could also be called up.

Argentina, who also have Juan Roman Riquelme in their squad, will travel to Tokyo to play a friendly against Japan on 29 July before going on to Beijing.

LINK

Not good news, I wouldn't mind Insua going, experience would be good for him, but we needed Masch to stay really.

Does anyone know if Lucas is going too? If he is that will either mean throwing one of our youngsters in (probably Plessis) or switching from the formation that served us so well in the run in this season gone. It's crucial we get a good start & could really have done without this.

Anyone know how many games he'll miss? We've got United 4th game in and the bitters 6th game in.

I think we have good cover.... but is Lucas going aswell?

I think Lucas is definately going aswell. Not very happy about this atall, seems he will certainly miss the games against 'those 2'. suprised Leto didnt get a call up there was talk about him getting a call up. I just hope we get some decent cover in time for the 4th game of the season or we dont try and use an alternative from a different position, i'd rather use plessis or someone.

Anyone know how many games he'll miss? We've got United 4th game in and the bitters 6th game in.

Read somewhere that he would be available for our first encounter with Aston Villa.

It was innevitable that he was going to get the call. i think he only misses the qualifying round for champions league and 2 league games though so it not too bad. Im sure he will do well. Hopefully Insua will move from the standby list to the main team as it would be great experience for him

Ok so we got Xabi or Barry (one or the other) and then who? Stevie play CM and... come to think of it Babels gone aswell hmmm.

                                           Xabi/Barry                              Gerrard


Kuyt                                                            Yossi?                                                               Silva?

                                                                   Nando

Good luck to him and hope for either Javi or Lucas to bring home the gold

Good luck to him and hope for either Javi or Lucas to bring home the gold

Its selfish but I hope they go out at the earliest possible stage! Argentina's and Brazil's squads are going to be quality so can't really see it happening but we are really going to miss Masch

Ok so we got Xabi or Barry (one or the other) and then who? Stevie play CM and... come to think of it Babels gone aswell hmmm.

                                           Xabi/Barry                              Gerrard


Kuyt                                                            Yossi?                                                               Silva?

                                                                   Nando

Crap. Forgot Babel was gone. In this case, with the cover we currently have it would be like this for me:

                      Plessis       Xabi
   
 Kuyt                                                  Pennant     
 
                            Gerrard
   
                             Torres               

Of course should we get wingers then they would slot in but thats the best we can get without Lucas, Babel and Mascher IMO.               

Crap. Forgot Babel was gone. In this case, with the cover we currently have it would be like this for me:

                      Plessis       Xabi
  
 Kuyt                                                  Pennant     
 
                            Gerrard
  
                             Torres               

Of course should we get wingers then they would slot in but thats the best we can get without Lucas, Babel and Mascher IMO.               

Pennant can't play left wing!

Read somewhere that he would be available for our first encounter with Aston Villa.

Well the finals will be on the 23rd so at the worst Javi or Lucas will miss Sunderland away, Boro home and the two UCL qualifiers. If they get knocked out in the semi-finals which is on the 18th then either of them could make it back to the Boro game. QF are on the 15th so either of them get knocked out they would back for the Boro game as well.

Pennant can't play left wing!

Pennant was used on the left early in his career and even when he first signed for us. Drifting inside. TBH thats the only part missing from his game otherwise he could be brilliant if he just managed to come in more, this could do that - if he is still here that is.

Pennant was used on the left early in his career and even when he first signed for us. Drifting inside. TBH thats the only part missing from his game otherwise he could be brilliant if he just managed to come in more, this could do that - if he is still here that is.

Kuyt could play there anyway. good old dirk would play CB if you asked him to

Kuyt could play there anyway. good old dirk would play CB if you asked him to

He even wore the GK shirt at the photoshoot for the new kits

Pennant was used on the left early in his career and even when he first signed for us. Drifting inside. TBH thats the only part missing from his game otherwise he could be brilliant if he just managed to come in more, this could do that - if he is still here that is.

Actually, being 100% serius, i forgot JP even existed. I hope he has the same form he had prior to injury last season

Actually, being 100% serius, I forgot JP even existed. I hope he has the same form he had prior to injury last season

True, if he stays i hope he does well, i genuinly believe when on his best form he is a great winger and does exactly what a winger should. The CL final and the start of the following season he was almost unstoppable, he was even playing on the left in games and getting praise from everywhere, best form i've ever seen him in. Would be great if he could recapture that form if he stays. He was playing on that injury for a while and it was a pretty serious one so he can play well, need to get that form back.

True, if he stays I hope he does well, I genuinly believe when on his best form he is a great winger and does exactly what a winger should. The CL final and the start of the following season he was almost unstoppable, he was even playing on the left in games and getting praise from everywhere, best form I've ever seen him in. Would be great if he could recapture that form if he stays. He was playing on that injury for a while and it was a pretty serious one so he can play well, need to get that form back.

Definately. Very under rated player IMO