Liverpool FC

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Mascherano: Time right to leave

30 Aug 2010 - 16:55:16

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Argentina captain Javier Mascherano has defended his recent actions, having put the seal on his big-money move from Liverpool to Barcelona.

The 26-year-old, who has been with the Reds since January 2007, recently missed a Premier League clash with Manchester City, insisting that his mind was not right for the task in hand.

As he passed a medical at the Camp Nou, Mascherano told the Daily Post: "I showed at Liverpool that I am always 100 per cent professional and nobody can doubt that.

"Against Manchester City I was not right to play. I spoke with the coach and he understood my position. It was better for the team.

"I have never had any problems with the new coach. I accepted his orders and Roy Hodgson would confirm it.

"My team-mates knew it was my decision and did not say anything about it to me.

"Liverpool will always be in my heart, but my time there has finished and now it is time for a new challenge.

"I have not left Liverpool to join Barcelona for money, just for sporting reasons. The Barca project is very exciting.

"They have been interested in me in the past and this second opportunity to join them was impossible to reject.

"I will forever be grateful to Liverpool for what they did for me, but I have done all I can for them on the pitch in return."