Mascherano labels Liverpool as liars after completing dream move to Barcelona
The Argentinean captain and combative midfielder, Javier Mascherano has launched a finely timed attack on his former employers, Liverpool. He carried this attack after his move to the Spanish Champions Barcelona was completed.
The twenty six year old player, sealed a four year deal with the Spanish outfit and the initial value of the deal is estimated to be around the region of, twenty one million Euros. The Catalan team are also reported to have slapped a buyout clause of around ninety million Euros on the player, who is most probably not going to be moving to another team any time soon.
The player was however reported to have told Sport in an interview,
"I would be a fool to think I'm going to play all games. We must respect people who are doing so well. In my position there are three world champions who have won everything," In further interviews that were conducted by the Guardian the players version of events that took place were described. The player also went on to hit back at Roy Hodgson and labelled the manager to be a selfish person. He also revealed that he was pondering a move away as early as last season, but said that Xabi Alonso beat him to that, by joining Real Madrid.
"Roy Hodgson knows the truth. This is a happy moment for me so now is not the time to say it, but a lot of lies have been told about me and I will respond to them," he explained.
"Last year Liverpool would not let me leave. There was no way they would sell me. They had Xabi Alonso and me, and they would only let Xabi leave.
"I was disappointed not to be able to sign [for Barcelona] last season. When the best club in the world calls you, then it is something that you want to happen. I have signed for the only club who really wanted me. In no moment did I ever think that Inter was a possibility. Rafa valued me and perhaps that is why people started saying that I could go there but this is the only club that pushed to sign me," he added before declaring that he is not like predecessor Yaya Toure, but is willing to play anywhere for Barcelona.
"For me it is a dream to grow, learn and enjoy playing with them. I do not come here on vacation but to play. This opportunity is a once in a lifetime. I come to add to the team. I will train to be ready when called upon, I shall do my best not to have the absence of those who usually play noticed."
"Toure is a great player, who has left his mark on this club. I do not come to replace him, but to do my job the best I can. I have been hired by what I have done in recent years. I'm not trying to be like Toure because I'm not him but I can give other things, neither better nor worse but different things.
"I'm a defensive midfielder but I can do other things. During my career I have played in other positions, at Liverpool, with Argentina and at River [Plate]. Whenever I am needed, if the coach considers it appropriate, I'll do good for the team and will abide by the orders."
Despite the player leaving the team in such a controversial way, the player still declared and stated that the player would like to see his former team, enter back into Europe’s elite competition. He has also said that he will greatly miss the love and support that the team he was shown by the teams fans during his stay, even amidst the controversies.
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