We'll miss Masch, says Reina

Pepe Reina has conceded that he feels Liverpool will not be as strong after losing midfielder Javier Mascherano. The Argentina captain finally left the Reds at the end of August to join Barcelona after indicating all summer that he wanted to go.The 26-year-old reportedly refused to play against Manchester City in the club's second game of the season and eventually left in an £18million deal.Manager Roy Hodgson has dealt with his departure by signing Danish enforcer Christian Poulsen and Portuguese international Raul Meireles to cover the sale of the tenacious South American.However Reina felt that Mascherano's influence in midfield and around the training ground would be greatly missed and difficult to replace."Javier is very competitive, very Argentinian and he always offers his maximum in every game. For Barca this is a good new thing, but it's not for us," Reina told The Mirror."Mascherano will be a positive surprise in La Liga. He is a footballer who works, works and works. Also, personally, he is a good character. He is quiet but very friendly."He was not someone who got into controversy. He never caused rows in the dressing room. He was good on the pitch, broke up counter-attacks and now we need other players with his characteristics."

Source: Team_Talk