Anfield man downs tools.
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Skysports.com understands there are fresh doubts surrounding Javier Mascherano’s future at Liverpool amid reports he has refused to play against Manchester City.
Mascherano has expressed a wish to leave Anfield before the close of the transfer window for personal reasons and has been linked with Barcelona and Inter Milan.
New Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is hoping to hold on to the midfielder, but has stressed the club will not sell the 26-year-old on the cheap.Hodgson stated last week that the Reds had not received any offers for the Argentinainternational, but reports now claim Barcelona have made a bid.
It is understood that Barca’s offer has been rejected and that has led to claims that Mascherano will not feature against City on Monday night as a result. (Sky Sports)
I hope these reports are not true, but if they are then I am disgusted with Javier Mascherano’s attitude. If he really has refused to play for the club in response to the club not wishing to sell him to Barcelona, at least not at the price the Catalan club is willing to play, then he should be banished to the reserves until a fair fee is agreed for his services.
I hasten to add I say this without being fully aware of all the facts and am merely responded to widespread reports. The Argentine has already tried to engineer a move to join Rafa at Inter Milan, and that failed when it transpired that the Champions League holders neither needed or wanted him enough to make an actual offer for his services.
Roy Hodgson is an experienced manager and will know how best to deal with this situation but it doesn’t look good. Barcelona are clearly trying to pick up the player on the cheap and are probably thrilled to hear this news as an unsettled player will be easier to snap up than one who is happy with his lot.
They tried similar tricks with Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and fair play to the Gunners management for dealing with that in exactly the right manner. We need to do likewise and outright refuse any approach for the former West Ham man, until a realistic bid is forthcoming.
YNWA