Source: Liverpool_Echo
Dominic King: Javier Mascherano’s Liverpool FC reputation ruined by act of desperation
SO he has got his wish; 13 months after expressing his intense desire to join Barcelona, Javier Mascherano is finally on his way to Catalonia.[LNB]Having been viewed as one of Liverpool's most important players in recent seasons, a scampering, scurrying nuisance who relished carrying the fight to the opposition, Mascherano's acrimonious departure is unlikely to cause too many tears.[LNB]His no-show in Manchester on Monday was the final straw. Talking about his unhappiness on Merseyside was one thing, making statements in the summer that he was learning Italian was another but turning down the chance to wear a Red shirt was something else entirely.[LNB]Those who would invest their life savings just to have five minutes wearing a Liver Bird on their chest could not understand why Mascherano seemingly made himself unavailable for the trip to Eastlands earlier this week and, for that reason, they will not mourn his exit.[LNB] Such a shame. Whether you like him or not, there is no disputing the little man from San Lorenzo has been a top performer for Liverpool since Rafa Benitez resuscitated a career that had stagnated at West Ham United.[LNB]An energetic, tigerish presence, he was arguably Liverpool's man of the match in the 2007 Champions League final against AC Milan and it was only after he was substituted that the Italians started to find chinks in the defence.[LNB]Though he was prone to moments of losing his cool - normally against Manchester United at Old Trafford - and had an infuriating habit of giving needless back chat to referees, Liverpool were absolutely a better team with Mascherano in the engine room.
