Mascherano: Anfield is my home, allow me to stay!

Javier Mascherano: Anfield is home, allow me to stay at Liverpool



Jan 1 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

JAVIER MASCHERANO today told Liverpool's owners to decide whether or not they want to keep him at Anfield.

In an emotional plea, the Argentinian told of his desperation to become a Liverpool player on a permanent basis but admitted time is now against him.

Rafa Benitez has made it known on several occasions that he wants to keep Mascherano but Liverpool are still to conclude a proposed £17m deal with the player's agent, Kia Joorabchian, and with his 18-month loan due to expire in June the midfielder fears he will be forced to look elsewhere for a permanent deal.

If that were to happen it would represent a massive blow to Benitez who rates Mascherano as one of the finest players in his position in world football.

And with Barcelona waiting in the wings to take him to the Nou Camp, Liverpool now face a race against time if they are to keep him at Anfield.

But Mascherano insists Tom Hicks and George Gillett can still make his Anfield dream come true – if they want to.

"It's simple," said Mascherano. "With the time that has passed it will now be more difficult for me to stay here because I need to do something about my future.

"It is a really difficult situation because I have been talking a lot about how I want to stay here but, now, it doesn't depend on me.

"I have done everything to stay but now the owners have to decide if they want to buy me or not.

“They have to decide."

Mascherano's desperation to stay is further fuelled by the fact he has come to see Liverpool as his home and he thanked Benitez, his team mates and the fans for making him feel so welcome.

"I have to say thank you to everyone at Liverpool because I feel like this is my home," he said.

"It is difficult for me because I have gone from being at West Ham, where it wasn't good for me, to Liverpool, where I am really happy.

"I want to stay but it doesn't depend on me and it will be difficult because of the amount of time that has passed and I need to do something about my future."

If we lose him.  It really does show how brainless Mr. Hicks & Gillett actually are.

HURRY UP AND SEAL THE DEAL! 

Javier Mascherano has to stay

Jan 1 2008 by Ian Rush, Liverpool Echo

JAVIER Mascherano had another great game against City on Sunday and was again one of Liverpool's better players.

Ever since he came to Anfield he has done a brilliant job in front of the back four and I've got no doubt that every Liverpool supporter wants to see him stay at the club.

Steven Gerrard must think highly of him as well because when Mascherano is in the team he is given the freedom to go and express himself.

It's no coincidence that Gerrard has scored so many goals in the past couple of months with Mascherano playing alongside him.

Compare that with Gerrard's situation with England where he plays alongside Frank Lampard but doesn't have the same freedom and is therefore restricted from being as effective as he can be.

Mascherano reminds me of Didi Hamann and Ronnie Whelan in that he does a lot of the dog work that gives other players the licence to attack.

It is a role which he performs brilliantly and it would be really disappointing if his stay at Anfield was not made permanent.

In my opinion  we can cope with losing Momo,Risse, Carson((making his loan permanent) even Crouch.
 
  But we cannot loose Mascherano ,he was one of the best and consistant this year that just passed. Came 3rd in Player of the year award behind Gerrard and Torres. I think that simply says he is class in his first 12 months at anfield
 
  Let's hope rafa settles this .in january , it will be good even for the player himself to perform better

We need him to stay, he's one of our better players. And he should have a long term future in the club. Losing him would be a big set back.

This one is plain and simple really, if liverpool are to have any chance of winning the league then we have to just pay the 17 million. Its not like paying out shed loads of money for a player that is just going to be a flop. Mascherano has proved himself to be one of the best midfielders in the world, he alwas gives 100% and he is a brilliant tackler and him in the centre with gerrard is deadly as it allows gerrard to bomb on and attack and not wory about having to get back as hardly anyone gets past Masch. Very reliable. If the americans dont give the money for this deal then you have to really begin to question whether or not they are truly passionate about lfc. Masch is young and is just going to get better and better. The deal has to be completed in january or else we ae just going to lose him to barcelona and end up regretting it. Lfc have made the odd mistake with not signig players.(rooney was told he couldnt sign for us because they said he wasnt good enough, and now look at him. He went to our rivals and he has been the player thats scored against us and we ended up losing).

He's a kop favourite and it will be a shame to see him go if the americans dont provide the money

There is no risk associated with signing Masch - he's a proven class premier league player who fits perfectly into the Liverpool system. He wants to stay, and is popular with players and supporters.

What more needs to be said?

It's simple, Messers Gillett and Hick, if we want to be champions, Masch must not be allowed to leave.

Why do I have a feeling of deja vu here?

Remember when we nearly lost Gerrard to Chelsea because there was no clear statement that we wanted him to stay?

Parry went on holiday didn't he?

How about a clear unambiguous statement Rick?

Oh look, a flying pig.

Why do I have a feeling of deja vu here?

Remember when we nearly lost Gerrard to Chelsea because there was no clear statement that we wanted him to stay?

Parry went on holiday didn't he?

How about a clear unambiguous statement Rick?

Oh look, a flying pig.

Rick has no power, no authority, no nothing - words "lame" and "duck" come to mind.

Best thing Rafa could do is build a direct relationship with the Yanks and stop the bullshitting chinese whispers that Rick Parry has been executing these last two months.

to be honest what is the point of Rick Parry even being employed by liverpool, he does'nt actually do anything. My missus could do a better job and she dont even know the offside rule

I would like to state that we have an 18 months loan deal that we have paid extra for to sample the services of Mascherano.  I don't see anything wrong in using as much of this period as possible, the situation is simple and straight forward, he wants to say and we want him to stay as fans and Benitez also.  I think if the owners did refuse to finance the Mascherano deal they will burn the feet in the process.  I am not worried the slightest it is a no brainer, we will buy him, end off.

Good on you Masch for expressing your desire to stay. As for Rick Parry my little brothers local side is after a club secretary the position would suit you ideally Mr. Parry, you get a free steak sandwich after every match. 

Parry is a tw*t, the Yanks are tw*ts. Thats the only thing that we know for sure under the new management. They dont let fans know anything about the club. I blame Parry for everything.

Id be gutted if we didnt sign Mascherano on a permanent deal the player is quality and with him in the side it leaves Stevie to push forward more than he does say when Alonso plays,if we dont do the deal it would rank up there with Houllier letting Anelka go to buy Diouf instead.

I would like to state that we have an 18 months loan deal that we have paid extra for to sample the services of Mascherano.  I don't see anything wrong in using as much of this period as possible, the situation is simple and straight forward, he wants to say and we want him to stay as fans and Benitez also.  I think if the owners did refuse to finance the Mascherano deal they will burn the feet in the process.  I am not worried the slightest it is a no brainer, we will buy him, end off.

I agree that we don't have to pay the money out yet but my understanding is that there is an agreed fee so a clear statement if intent would not go amiss and reassure Mascherano and the fans.

His agents have offered him to other big European clubs because they dont think he will be signed by Liverpool. Will find the source later.

I would agree with the sentaments about we need him to stay, he is a world class holding player, but its how we would finance the permanant move. Ideally Rafa wants a world class player for each position and although Momo has had a rough time of it lately, what really pisses me off is the fact that some on this board were loving him at one moment then slating him for being sh*te the next. Some of you so called supporters are less consistant than Rob Styles referring decsions and its pretty pathetic to read at times. Can none of you come out with more than Parry is a tw*t the yanks are tw*ts etc etc. Its really getting quite immature at times.

I wouldnt sell momo unless he really wanted to go as I think he and Masch would occupy and compete for the same position, and I wouldnt sell Crouch either, Carson however is worth a tidy sum and it would be fair to let him go to Villa as I think he has become a great keeper and its not fair on him to keep him as understudy. He would go part way to financing the deal.

Can none of you come out with more than Parry is a tw*t the yanks are tw*ts etc etc.

I have actually been backing him up. I have stated on a few topics i think he is better than most think.

Parry is a tw*t, the Yanks are tw*ts. Thats the only thing that we know for sure under the new management. They dont let fans know anything about the club. I blame Parry for everything.

Sorry youve lost me!! How is that statement backing him, who do you mean by him?? You have obviously got to look in the "Ive just contradicted myself" locker mate and stop giving out negative kharma when not justified, and stop making one sentance statements without trying to justify your assumptions or opions.

last transfer window we sh*t all over parry and the yanks heads only to find ourselfs with Torres, babel, Lucas and Benayoun at the end of the transfer window......great signings IMO, and now we are doing it again...only 2 days into the transfer window!

Have a little patience FFS!

His agents have offered him to other big European clubs because they dont think he will be signed by Liverpool. Will find the source later.

Maybe the Iranian is trying to push his price up by ensuring international demand for HIS asset.

I have actually been backing him up. I have stated on a few topics I think he is better than most think.

He certainly had an important role before the arrival of G&H - but I challenge anybody to define his role while sons of Hicks and Gillette travel over to give personal assesment to their Dads of club "situations"...

I have never personally heard of a "Junior CEO" role, which is what Parry has effectively become, i.e., all title, no power... 

This kind of statement is what been a Liverpool player is all about. Mascherano is without a doubt a great asset for the club. He will worth every penny. Come on Gillet and Hicks, just pay for the lad to stay. He has been outstanding so far, work ethic, commitment attitude....Mascherano has the potential to be one of the great..

Masch is one of the keys to winning the league. We may not get it this year, but I feel that after we sign him indefinetly and he realizes that he isnt' walking on ice anymore, he will open up even more and perform twice as good as we could possibly expect. It will take a small bit of time for him to be 110% comfortable here, and I'm sure that once he does there will be no stopping him. We need more players that give their hearts and souls to Liverpool, and this is a great example.