Source: Liverpool_Echo
Javier Mascherano: Liverpool FC have got to get heads up and keep fighting
Javier Mascherano 300[LNB]THE scene was depressingly familiar; a foreign ground, a Liverpool defeat and an army of waiting reporters and cameramen.[LNB]Many times this season on their travels through Europe, Liverpool's players have breezed through the mixed zone - the area where journalists wait for post-match interviews - following a loss, keeping their thoughts to themselves.[LNB]It was no different on Thursday evening in Lille. One by one, men in red tracksuits scurried past the line of inquisitors and out of the door, desperate to seek sanctuary on the coach waiting to take them back to the airport.[LNB]There were, however, exceptions, notably Javier Mascherano. When he shuffled wearily from Liverpool's dressing room, his head bowed and the weight of the world seemingly on his shoulders, the last thing he wanted to do was conduct another post-mortem.[LNB]Having to keep explaining why Liverpool's campaign has fallen so horribly out of shape is an onerous task and there is no question the constant gloom has impacted on results and performances - if enough people tell you something, you start to believe it.[LNB]Yet, to his credit, Mascherano was able to shake himself and once he got into his stride, it was quite clear he has no intentions of throwing in the towel, least of all ahead of what promises to be the six definitive days of the campaign.[LNB]Should Liverpool beat Portsmouth and Manchester United in the Premier League and overturn their 1-0 first leg deficit against Lille, hope will spring eternal once again on the Kop that the objectives for which they have playing since Christmas can be achieved.[LNB]Lose all three, though, and the chances of them qualifying for the Champions League or bringing a trophy back to Anfield will be over.[LNB]To avoid that nightmare scenario, then, Liverpool must start attacking with zest once again and ensure there are no more calamities like the one at Wigan; chastened by the criticism that came their way, Mascherano knows the players simply have to improve.[LNB]'We have had a look at ourselves,' the Argentine midfielder explained. 'The match in Lille was totally different to Wigan. We know we didn't play well there or create chances. But at least against Lille we created a few chances and should really have scored.[LNB]'We have got to score against Portsmouth then we will play the game against Lille as a final. Our target is the same. To finish in the top four and to do well in the Europa League. We know if we play well then we can progress.[LNB]'Wigan was a very bad game and a very bad night. We didn't work in that game as hard as we can and we could not complain that we lost. Lille was completely different but still we need to improve.'
