Liverpool Swap Classless Mascherano For Class: Meireles and Konchesky

While Javier Mascherano's bulldog defensive presence will be missed at Liverpool, his lack of class will not. Mascherano got his wish, he and his family will move abroad after having agreed to terms with Barcelona for a four-year deal worth £85,000 per week. He gets to move to a Spanish speaking country, play alongside his countryman Lionel Messi, and try to put cries of "Judas" echoing at Anfield out of sight and out of mind.

“But I am hoping in the short period left in the window we can add a couple. We still need to improve the squad and we haven’t got too much time," Hodgson stated after dealing Mascherano to Spain.

And improve the squad he did, both in player options and in class.

While Liverpool supporters recognize the massive loss of talent with the Argentine captain moving on to Catalonia, the incoming replacements Boss Roy Hodgson has targeted with Mascherano's £20m transfer fee gives Liverpool a wider range of player options and offensive play making ability.

Hodgson moved quickly. His moves Porto's midfielder Raul Meireles for £10.7m, Paul Konchesky’s £3m arrival from Fulham and the speculation of Udinese’s Swiss international Gokhan Inler or a move for PSV Eindhoven striker Ola Toivonen give Liverpool optimism over the whole Mascherano transfer saga.

Meireles watched attention on him grow this summer's World Cup and brought the attention of even Sir Alex Fergusson. With the midfielder under contract for only two more seasons, Porto looked to cash in before losing him without a return on investment. The deal with the 27 year old looks to be completed this weekend, with Birmingham projected as his earliest start. While his defense may not be up to Mascherano's, his more forward style opens up Liverpool's attacking options a bit more. A move for Inler may be a faded possibility now that the transfer for Meireles is finalizing.

Hodgson knows what he's getting in the left back Konchesky, having coached him at Fulham. Konchesky racked 97 appearances for Fulham and 2 England caps.

The move for the Swedish forward Toivonen would add £9 to the spending. His 13 goals for PSV Eindhoven last season followed by five goals in two Eredivisie matches display a mind for the net; something Liverpool needs to strengthen striker options behind Fernando Torres. Pushing David Ngog and Milan Jovanovic for more results couldn't hurt either.

The reports of Mascherano refusing to play for Liverpool the past two matches shows the premadonna Barcelona receives for £20m. It is only a matter of time before the whiner ends up in the headlines in Spain for one reason or another pertaining to off the field morale and discipline.

While there was once a time when the Kop Choir would sing the praises of Mascherano to the tune of the 'White Stripes' song 'Seven Nation Army,' he will now be remembered as the man who turned his back on his team when the going got tough. A professional player, who cannot honor a professional contract. Mascherano was a heck of a player. He just has no class, no honor and no love left at Liverpool.