Changing Tunes: Why Does Javier Mascherano Want to Leave Liverpool?

“If a club like Barcelona want you after winning everything, obviously a player will say he wants to play there. It would make Javier proud to play for them after they’ve had such an incredible year. I believe a transfer can be done.

"I’ve spoken to (Barcelona technical director) Txiki Beguiristain about this although we’ve not been in contact for some time. At Barcelona he would have a very easy job. At times we joke because the only thing he would have to do there is to run, steal the ball and give it to one of their stars.” - Mascherano’s agent, Walter Tamer, June 10, 2009.

“The Argentina skipper is considering leaving because his pregnant wife Fernanda has been unable to settle on Merseyside… He thinks it will be easier for his wife to live in a Spanish-speaking country.” - Chris Bascombe, News of the World, June 13, 2009.

“Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano wants to quit the club—because his wife prefers to live in a warmer climate.” - The People, June 21, 2009.

“Liverpool will have to more than double Javier Mascherano’s wages to keep him at Anfield… Despite being one of the world’s top holding midfielders, Mascherano is also one of the poorest paid first-team regulars.” - Phil Thomas, The Sun, June 23, 2009.

“Mirror Sport understands that the root of the Argentine’s unhappiness at Anfield is the fact that he is paid considerably less than the majority of [his Liverpool team mates].” - David Maddock for The Mirror, June 23, 2009.