Mascherano says balls in Liverpool's court in regards to contract. (Goal.com)

[Peatcheo]

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has revealed he is willing to sign a new contract with the club.

The Argentina skipper's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent times, with the tough tackler being tipped to join the ranks of Barcelona during the summer.

However, the defensive midfield stalwart has revealed the talks are ongoing, and the ball is currently in the club's court.

"I'm waiting for an answer from Liverpool," Mascherano said, according to the News of the World.

"They know what I want so it depends on them and not me. We have been talking about the contract."

It is claimed that the Argentine has a four-year contract in mind, with a mega-pay rise to around £90,000-a-week.

Liverpool have already tied down Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun, while Pepe Reina is also expected to sign a new long-term contract with the club in the near future.

 

[Rosco]

I had a feeling this might happen. No CL football next year and pay rises for players doesn't tally no matter how good they are.

Rick Parry strikes again .....

 

[KingDing]

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has pledged his future to the club and expects a new contract to be signed "in the next few weeks".

Securing the Argentina captain and goalkeeper Jose Reina on extended deals have been a priority of manager Rafael Benitez.

With Reina close to finally concluding the deal it appears Mascherano will not be far behind him.

"The club are talking with my agents," said Mascherano, who was a reported target for Barcelona in the summer.

"I don't like to be involved in the contract meetings so I leave that to my agents and the people at the club.

"Liverpool know I want to stay. I don't think it will be difficult to arrive at a deal and we will see what happens in the next few weeks."

Benitez has always been confident the 25-year-old would extend his stay at Anfield despite speculation to the contrary and the player sees his future at Anfield.

"I have never said I was not happy at Liverpool. That was the press," said Mascherano, who has been one of the more consistent performers in a disappointing season - even when filling in as an emergency right-back on a couple of occasions.

"I am happy here and the only way I can show that is with my performances on the pitch.

"I always try to do everything I can to help my team-mates and manager.

"Sometimes I can do well and sometimes I can't, but I always look to give 100 per cent in training and in games."

 

[Hansern]

So you'd rather lose him Ross?

 

[Oncy]

Re: Mascherano says balls in Liverpool's court in regards to contract. (Goal.com

Sign him up ffs. Sell some other cunt to pay his extra wages. Riera must be on 40k a week that'll do.

 

[Richey]

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=39460.msg1075233#msg1075233 date=1269301421]
I had a feeling this might happen. No CL football next year and pay rises for players doesn't tally no matter how good they are.

Rick Parry strikes again .....
[/quote]

Indeed, and let's wait and see the Rebels of this World come out and start moaning when all the money is spent on new contracts in the summer rather than on transfers when the reason we would have less to throw around is because of Benitez's failure to qualify for the CL

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Great news about Mascher!

I must admit i always thought that this season would be his last with us.

 

[Squiggles]

I'm still pissed off at him.

And it's not just for the penalty. It's for the incident 10 minutes later where Valencia fell over and the Ref gave nothing. The camera cut to Javier and he was nodding and gesturing, basically saying 'look look, he does it all the time'.

Argh. Fucking learn.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

excellent if true

 

[Squiggles]

It is good news that he wants to sign.

What he's asking for is unknown, however.

So lets wait and see.

 

[manwithnoname]

This is good news because he's a good player and we need to keep our good players

That's it

 

[franklyfrank]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=39460.msg1076514#msg1076514 date=1269545582]
This is good news because he's a good player and we need to keep our good players

That's it
[/quote]

He's not just a good player. He's our 2nd most important player.

 

[franklyfrank]

Oh and whatever money he's asking for, give it to him. He deserves it.

One of few players in our squad that busts his balls for the club.

 

[manwithnoname]

Gerrard and Torres are, as any fule kno

 

[franklyfrank]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=39460.msg1076519#msg1076519 date=1269546177]
Gerrard and Torres are, as any fule kno
[/quote]

Nah, Torres is our most important player with Mascherano 2nd and then Reina.

 

[Vlads Quiff]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=39460.msg1076333#msg1076333 date=1269522282]
Great news about Mascher!

I must admit i always thought that this season would be his last with us.
[/quote]

Me too, I am made up he is still here , I though he would go in Jan

regards

 

[Vlads Quiff]

[quote author=franklyfrank link=topic=39460.msg1076518#msg1076518 date=1269546170]
Oh and whatever money he's asking for, give it to him. He deserves it.

One of few players in our squad that busts his balls for the club.
[/quote]

and one of the few who looks like he actually cares

regards

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I'm falling for this Spaniard...

 

[Vlads Quiff]

Who?

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39460.msg1076527#msg1076527 date=1269547243]
I'm falling for this Spaniard...
[/quote]

He's already married.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=franklyfrank link=topic=39460.msg1076517#msg1076517 date=1269546093]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=39460.msg1076514#msg1076514 date=1269545582]
This is good news because he's a good player and we need to keep our good players

That's it
[/quote]

He's not just a good player. He's our 2nd most important player.
[/quote]


is he fuck.

 

[manwithnoname]

Heh

Someone has lit spidey's blue touchpaper

 

[Dreambeliever]

My favourite player at the club.

The only one who looks like he cares every single minute of every game.

He's worth every penny.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Javier Mascherano praises Rafael Benítez after recent criticism
Guardian.co.uk, Friday 26 March 2010

Javier Mascherano has praised Rafael Benítez for making him 'a better player and a better person'.

The Liverpool manager was last week criticised by the winger Albert Riera for his communication skills and handling of players. That outburst appears certain to see the Spain international sent out on loan in the next fortnight to a club in Russia, where the transfer window does not close until early next month.

However, Argentina captain Mascherano, who yesterday said he expected to sign a new contract very soon, has praised Benítez. "All managers have different ways of working," said the 25-year-old, who was rescued from the fringes of a struggling West Ham United squad in January 2007 by Benítez. "Rafa is totally different from [Argentina coach] Diego Maradona and the other managers I've had.

"For three and a half years I've been working with Rafa and I can now say I'm a better player and a better person from when I arrived here. That's down to Rafa and his staff."

Mascherano, who has been one of Liverpool's most consistent performers this season, believes the team have to win their remaining seven matches to secure Champions League football next season.

If they were to do that they would finish with 72 points, which was more than enough for Arsenal to clinch fourth last season as they finished nine points clear of Everton. "I think we will have to win all our games. We have seven finals and we have to win all of them to have hope of finishing fourth," he said.

"If we can win 21 points, maybe we will be there. If not, it will be very difficult."

And the Argentinian has singled out their three remaining away matches – against Birmingham City, Burnley and Hull City – for special attention. Liverpool have won only four times away in the league this season, with their last victory coming at Aston Villa on 29 December.

"I think the problem for us this season has been the away form," he said. "Obviously we have to keep going in the same way at home, but if we want to have hopes of finishing fourth, we have to improve away."

 

[Vlads Quiff]

If Mascher says he is happy then that's great, but I am sure it's just three years, maybe it just seems longer to him 😉

regards

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=Vlads Quiff link=topic=39460.msg1076771#msg1076771 date=1269603248]
If Mascher says he is happy then that's great, but I am sure it's just three years, maybe it just seems longer to him 😉

regards
[/quote]

3 years it is Vlad.

Easy mistake to make though. Considering how much he's improved as a player and a person, he probably just assumed that he must of been with us longer. *Winks back*

 

[Molbystwin]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=39460.msg1076514#msg1076514 date=1269545582]
This is good news because he's a good player and we need to keep our good players

That's it
[/quote]

Indeed. Shame it will swallow all of any transfer kitty though.

 

[Friend no. 2]

[quote author=Vlads Quiff link=topic=39460.msg1076771#msg1076771 date=1269603248]
If Mascher says he is happy then that's great, but I am sure it's just three years, maybe it just seems longer to him 😉

regards
[/quote]

It's 3 and a half at the end of this season. He came in January