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Liverpool set to complete Argentinian midfielder signing

by Dave Needham
Last updated: Monday, 29th January 2007 [23:23]

Just as the transfer window was finally getting ready to slam shut, Liverpool look to have completed the signing of Javier Mascherano, the Argentinian World Cup star, who has been rotting away out of sight at Premiership strugglers West Ham United.

The reds will complete an 18 month loan deal in the coming days for Mascherano from the Hammers after FIFA finally relented and relaxed their rule insisting a player could not play for more than two clubs in a season. The Argentine domestic season overlapped the English Premiership back in August 2006. As reported earlier this month, the player actually had his medical with Liverpool over 3 weeks ago.

Rafa Benitez had this to say, and is hopeful that he has the power to turn Mascherano (who was a star of the Argentinian team in the 2006 World Cup) in to a great Premiership player:

“We have an agreement to take him on loan for 18 months then we have an option to sign him permanently.

“He is a top class player and the only question is whether he can play to his level in England. But I know he can play a lot better than he did at West Ham.”

Benitez pointed to a number of factors in his favour:

“West Ham are a fantastic club but maybe it wasn’t the right club for him,” he said.

“Maybe Liverpool can be a better option for him because we can speak in Spanish to him and we play a different style of football.”

The signing is widely predicted to be Liverpool’s only signing in the January transfer window which could impact significantly on the first team. However Liverpool are now out of both domestic cup competitions, have 14 critical Premiership games left, a two-legged affair against Barcelona, and Rafa is notorious for not playing first team squad players in reserve fixtures.

So….will Mascherano get any more football at Liverpool than he did at West Ham (where he played 5 times in 3 months)?

26 Responses

1 | carls

January 30th, 2007 at [00:43]

why???????????????????

2 | The prodigal Son.

January 30th, 2007 at [01:12]

Good news!
Liverpool is the team of sudamerica …..Insua,Leto,Paletta,Aurelio,Gonzo and Masche … !

3 | RolandG

January 30th, 2007 at [05:18]

Rafa will check on his form and play him in a few Reserve games to gauge his match fitness. He also needs to rid himself of the mental shackles and give Rafa the motivation to pick him. He will only get to play if he is fit and Rafa thinks that he is up for it.

This is a wonderful capture for us and once the lads hits the straps, he will do well at Liverpool. He is some talent.

4 | Arthur

January 30th, 2007 at [06:56]

hopefully he does well, ads a bit of competition in the middle against alonso so hopefully brings out the best of the 2

5 | Fred

January 30th, 2007 at [09:42]

This is just the Daily Mail jumpimg the gun and taking Rafa’s quotes way out of context.

Until it’s on the offal or FIFA come out with an announcment, I wouldn’t believe a word of it.

6 | Kris

January 30th, 2007 at [10:14]

I think Masch will definitely get more chances than at WHU. If he looks good in training I feel he might even get a chance against Barca, unless Sissoko does very well in February. What I do not get though is why Rafa says LFC have no other holding midfielder. What about Alonso, Sissoko?

7 | Kaby

January 30th, 2007 at [11:21]

I think we now have one of the best midfielders in the Premiership which is goods news to us, as such i think its high time Gerrard start operating just behind strikers especially in the Champions Leage against Barca.

You will never walk alone!!!!!!!!!!!!

8 | rick

January 30th, 2007 at [12:35]

well i dont think he will feature much this season but rafa is very cleverman ass we now. Even if it doesnt work out..it is to keep Xabi on his toes. Good work..no soryy..great work rafa

9 | Dean Heath

January 30th, 2007 at [13:00]

Will be interesting to see how he’s used. He’s at a good age and will further free gerrard to either be used in other positions, like right midfield, and to be rested by using Mascherano with Sissoko as defensive midfielders and alonso or Zenden attacking.

Of course, it means that we further improve our second string if nothing else. He was arguably Argentina’s most consistent performaer at teh world cup, which is why there was so much excitement about his move to West Ham.

Our Spanish speakers will welcome him with open arms.

10 | bg

January 30th, 2007 at [13:27]

He wants sissoko to play further up the field and chase and break up the play

i think gerrard will be on the right again soon with a licence to roam and attack

11 | rowbot

January 30th, 2007 at [13:44]

This guy is seriously world class. i see him as a replacement for the ineffective Zenden, who can be sold in the summer.
Alonso needs to liven up a bit having been fairly average this season and Mascher will do just that.
Judge him on the world cup, not his west ham days. 22 and with a great attitude, this is a steal.

12 | Ju

January 30th, 2007 at [13:53]

Great news, will give the team plenty of options

13 | karim

January 30th, 2007 at [15:00]

Dont believe it as its not on any of the major websites.

14 | Martin

January 30th, 2007 at [15:05]

I was under the impression Rafa meant except for Alonso we have no holding midfielder. For all his defensive skills and work ethic Sissoko aint exactly a very good holder of the ball, let alone passing it. Just like RolandG I’m fairly confident Mascherano will prove one of Rafa’s better signings once fully fit and settled. Good news indeed!

15 | Vasan

January 30th, 2007 at [15:33]

its good signing… i’m happy that he finally red

16 | Jonesy_\'96\'_Justice

January 30th, 2007 at [16:23]

Well in Rafa ! Can’t wait to see him playin infront of our Spion Kop

17 | Fellows

January 30th, 2007 at [16:52]

have to say good signing going by his record but not sure he can do it in the prem

18 | paul

January 30th, 2007 at [17:00]

good signing, didnt see him play much for the hammers but hopefuly he will come to us with the right attitude and play well… ynwa

19 | Rob Barron

January 30th, 2007 at [17:43]

Kris, when Rafa said he had no holding midfielders, he was talking about in support. Yes we have Alonso and the returning Sissoko and we often play them together. But if either or both are unavailable we do not have a true holding midfielder. We have Stevie who is superb at marshalling the midfield and distributint the ball out to where it is needed but a genuine holding midfielder is able to allow the wing men and front men to maneouvre into positions for set plays that break down defences.

I think Mascher will be a good addition to the squad and it has baffled me that West Ham have not been able to utilise a player of his skill and stature. Surely it wasn’t only the language barrier? I guess the Hammers are not blessed with enough players of the skill level that South American players are used to and they do get shut out of games unless they are played with the right people and in the right way.

Not saying he is a definite star for us but he has huge potential and could do really well.

Cheers,
Rob

20 | gareth

January 30th, 2007 at [18:23]

hopefully the argentian ace javier masherano will enjoy play for liverpool than from west ham thanks
gareth galdes 16yrs luqa malta lfc super supporter

21 | Browny

January 31st, 2007 at [13:10]

Superb Signing if it goes through in time!
I also hope that DIC buy the club and not the American who wants a ground share in a blue and red stadium!!??

22 | Fowler21

January 31st, 2007 at [15:10]

So are we going to play a five man midfield after Sissoko comes back or are we dropping one of our central midfielders to play Mascherano?

If it is a five man midfield then who is the lone striker?

Is Xabi Alonso dropping to the bench?

All these questions will remain so i hope Masche will come good here.

Sell Zenden is perfect now

But aren’t we going too far with dropping one of our central midfield or not playing one of our strikers. Bellamy has pace and Kuyt needs a partner to become the dreaded Dirk Kuyt

23 | John Davies

January 31st, 2007 at [18:00]

A couple of people have suggested that just because a news item isn’t on a ‘major’ website then it won’t happen.

Transfer news is published on this website when we know IT IS going to happen.

24 | Roger

February 2nd, 2007 at [17:55]

Why does he have to come? Don’t understand what will he do. HE is a world class player but we need to concentrate on someone like Danny Alves.
Just cause he is a world class player doesn’t mean he can do well for the team. Who cares if we buy world class central midfielders? not all will play. ITs like having Gerrard,Lampard,Mascherano,Makelele,Ballack all in one team. NO point so get a world class right winger and then think about MASCHERANO. Good player no need.

25 | kewell

March 30th, 2007 at [12:56]