Mascherano: Liverpool board lied to me before Barcelona move

James Shearman

• Updated: 17 May 2021 17:38 BST
• 3 min read

Javier Mascherano has alleged that Liverpool’s board broke promises to him ahead of his departure to Barcelona in 2010.

The Argentine signed for the Reds three years prior, forming what supporters described as ‘the best midfield in the world‘ alongside Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.

But he made a controversial exit shortly after the appointment of Roy Hodgson, refusing to play in a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in order to push through a move to Camp Nou.

And he has now explained the situation further, telling FourFourTwo magazine: “Liverpool fans weren’t happy with me at all and I completely understood why.

“On the other hand, the board at the time had promised me something and weren’t keeping their word.

“There was an agreement between us that if Liverpool received a decent offer for me, I’d be permitted to leave. We’d spoken about extending my contract, but it seemed like the directors didn’t care about me.

“In the pre-season after Rafa left, Roy Hodgson arrived. We had a meeting with the managing director, Christian Purslow, who told me I could go if a good offer came in. Then there was an offer on the table, but Liverpool were looking the other way.

“I was quite angry that they weren’t keeping their word. Refusing to play at City was the way I found to show my annoyance. I’d told the club I wanted to leave for family reasons, so I was very upset to have to act the way I did.

“There was no other option – otherwise, Liverpool wouldn’t keep their promise.”

Mascherano on Liverpool fans

Mascherano also insisted that, regardless of what happened in the past, he remains a Liverpool fan to this day.

“Yes, I’m a Liverpool supporter. I really mean it,” he added.

“Nobody has ever treated me as well as Liverpool fans did – never. Throughout the three and a half years there, they made me feel like I was one of them; like I was at home.

“That’s why I dedicated Barca’s 2011 Champions League Final win against Manchester United to them: it was the least I could do to pay them back somehow. I knew they weren’t happy, and I wanted to share the moment with them.”