Premier League News: Mascherano declined to play for Liverpool against Manchester City
The star Liverpool midfielder, Javier Mascherano repudiatied to play the English Premier League match against Manchester City.
Since the start of the summers, the 26 year old Argentinean captain has been demanding a move from the Reds but much progress has not been made on the issue.
His refusal to play in the match came after Liverpool denied a bid from Barcelona saying that the price they had set for the player was too low.
Mascherano had collaborated that he is on strike in playing matches for the Reds. This has certainly raised concerns if this was the last that has been seen from the young maestro.
The new Liverpool manager, Roy Hodgson, had earlier confirmed after the refusal to the bid that Mascherano knows if a good price is not presented for him, he will stay with the Merseyside.
Inter Milan was the first club among the many other top clubs that showed interest in signing the defensive midfielder. Although, after his starry performance in the FIFA 2010 World Cup his rating had gone up but still there was lack of interest by Inter for him and that was mainly because of the failing of negotiations between the clubs.
Mascherano had declared himself that his services were available and he wanted clubs to bid for him. He had pointed out that he would love a move to Inter where he will be returning to his departed boss from Anfield, Spaniard Rafael Benitez.
It is no secret that two are on excellent terms and as a matter of fact, Masch has admitted that one of the reasons he wanted to play at San Siro was Rafa and the other was his desire for a change of club.
After the World Cup, however Inter withdrew interest in him and it did not take long for the Catalans to step in and claimed that they had negotiated a deal and salary for the player but Liverpool denied all that.
Media reports have confirmed that the deal presented for the midfielder includes 15 million Euros and ex-Arsenal player Alexander Hleb along with Uruguayan defender Martin Caceres.
Liverpool on the other hand want 30 million Euros for the player and without the complication of player exchanges in the deal. Mascherano has played 94 matches for Liverpool and has scored 5 times in them.
Mascherano performed brilliantly in Liverpool’s EPL season opener against Arsenal, however he had missed the Liverpool’s Europa League match against Trabzonspor because of a minor injury. Therefore the midfielder can still play in European competitions if his deal is struck before the transfer window closes on 31st August.
Lucas or Christian Poulsen are the players that Liverpool will have to look up to if Mascherano remains adamant on his stance.
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