Source: Liverpool_Echo
Javier Mascherano completes move from Liverpool FC to Barcelona
JAVIER MASCHERANO completed his move to Barcelona last night - with the Catalan giants insisting in a buy-out clause of 90million euros in his new contract.[LNB]The Argentine cost Barca in the region of 22million euros.[LNB] Show Caption February 2007 - Mascherano arrives at Anfield, initially on loan, from West Ham UnitedMay 2007 - An inspired midfield performance helps see off Chelsea's challenge as the Reds reach their second Champions League final in three yearsMascherano keeps Kaka in check for much of the Final in Athens but Milan gain revenge for Istanbul with a 2-1 winOctober 2007 and Mascherano unleashes a long-range effort that is blocked..... before eventually leading to the injury-time penalty that seals a 2-1 Merseyside derby victory at Goodison ParkMarch 2008 and with the Reds a goal down at home to Reading, Mascherano rifles home the equaliser from the edge of the box.... before celebrating in enthusiastic style with Dirk KuytLater that month, Mascherano's anger at Fernando Torres' treatment at the hands of Man Utd defenders and referee Steve Bennett boils over into a red card at Old TraffordMay 2008 and Chelsea finally see off the Reds in a Champions League semi-finalAugust 2009 - Mascherano in training with Rafa BenitezSeptember 2009 - another midfield masterclass from Mascherano, including a huge hand in creating Ryan Babel's, brings victory over Man Utd'Tommy' shows just how much victory over the auld enemy still meansNovember 2008 - Mascherano captains his country at Hampden Park, Glasgow in Diego Maradona's first game as Argentina managerJanuary 2009 - Mascherano celebrates Steven Gerrard's FA Cup equaliser against EvertonA booking in the Champions League rout of Real Madrid crucially rules Mascherano out of the first leg of the quarter-final against ChelseaA happier visit to Old Trafford as the Argentina helps the Reds to a famous 4-1 winApril 2009 - Mascherano returns for the second leg of the Chelsea quarter-final but despite a heroic 4-4 draw, the Reds are eliminatedOctober 2009 - another red card against Man Utd but this time it can't take the shine of a 2-0 Liverpool winNovember 2009 - invited to chance his arm early on in the Goodison derby, Mascherano's 25-yard effort takes a nick off Joseph Yobo.... before flying past Tim Howard much to the delight of Mascherano and Liverpudlians everywhereFebruary 2010 - More midfield grit in the derby as Sotirios Kyrgiakos' early red card means the Reds must play an hour with ten men.... but the Reds manage to run out 1-0 winnersEl-Hadji Diouf throws in a wild tackleAnother long-range effort against Unirea Uziceni in the Europa League gives the Reds a vital equaliserMascherano salutes the travelling supportThe 30-hour volcanic ash cloud-induced journey to the Europa League semi-final in Madrid begins to take its toll in the pre-match press conference Mascherano, whose angling for a move away from Liverpool went as far as dropping out of the team to face Manchester City last week, said: 'I am happy to have joined Barcelona. [LNB] "When the best club in the world comes after you, you can only be happy.[LNB]'I hope to grow as a player by playing alongside the Barcelona players, many of whom are world champions.'[LNB]Mascherano revealed he turned down the chance to join ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez at Inter Milan.[LNB]He added: 'Inter was an option but Barcelona were the club who really showed they were interested.'
