Source: Team_Talk
Barca talk affected my mojo - Masch
Javier Mascherano has admitted his form was affected by last summer's transfer talks over a move from Liverpool to Barcelona.[LNB] And the Argentina captain has left the door open again for Barca by saying it's "a shame" for himself and his family that he did not secure a move to the Catalan capital.[LNB]The 25-year-old midfielder was in talks over joining the Spanish champions but a switch did not materialise.[LNB]He then made a slow start to the season with Liverpool and although he finished the campaign strongly, it was an ultimately disappointing year for the Reds as they finished seventh.[LNB]Rafa Benitez signed him on a four-year deal in February 2008 after joining on loan from West Ham a year earlier, but Mascherano could be leaving early after hinting he would still welcome a move.[LNB]"The situation with Barcelona really affected me, " he told the Liverpool Echo.[LNB]"It was a shame it didn't happen as it was the city where I wanted to live.[LNB]"There were many discussions and problems during that month-and-a-half. They were difficult times for me. One day I was off to Barcelona, the next I wasn't, and Liverpool said I was non-transferable.[LNB]"Psychologically, it affected me as I couldn't think in Liverpool and I was focused on other stuff and not on my work, my training and playing.[LNB]"Also, we were having problems with Argentina as our qualification to the World Cup was in danger. There was a lot of complicated stuff at that time."[LNB]Mascherano insists he is happy with life in England but his wife is finding it hard to settle.[LNB]"I have no problem living in Liverpool, " he said. "But my wife and daughters deserve to enjoy every day to the full and live their lives, but they have to be home all day.[LNB]"My wife doesn't speak a word of English so she depends 100 per cent on me. I live here with them. That's my world, that's my life. "
