Defensive Central Midfielder
1 Goal
80 Appearances (as of 3/13/09)
Signed from West Ham, I guess… (complicated) in January 2007 on loan, and permanently for 18.6 mil in 2008.
BACKGROUND BEFORE LFC
Javier Mascherano has been well known over the past 4 or 5 seasons as one of the world’s toughest tackling and most skillful defensive midfielders in world football. Before his time at Liverpool, he was making a name for himself at Argentinian giants River Plate, and then in 2005-2006 with Corinthians in Brazil, where he tag-teamed with Carlos Tevez to win the Brazilian title. He had a fantastic World Cup with Argentina, which led to perhaps one of the most bizarre transfers in the history of football. Mascherano and Tevez were signed by West Ham United… and hardly played a minute for them. Sorry… but how the HELL can you sign a player of his quality and not play him? So odd. To add to that, Mascherano was not exactly signed by West Ham. He was transfered to West Ham, with Tevez, by Kia Joorabchian’s “Media Sports Investment.” It was more of a loan, but at the same time, it wasn’t. Confused? So am I. Nobody seems to understand, which has led to Sheffield United suing the living poo out of West Ham… which is yet to be resolved or settled, as far as I know. Rafa had his eyes on this unused player, and was hoping to be able to RIGHTFULLY figure out how to end his hell at West Ham and bring him to the ‘Pool.
SIGNING FOR, AND SETTLING INTO, LFC
Rafa wanted to end Javier’s hell in the winter of 2007, and was very, very fortunate to be able to get his man. Getting Mascherano at the end of the deadline was complicated due to the legal issues behind the West Ham “transfer,” and Rafa had to plead his case to FIFA. As it was Mascherano’s third club in the season, there were some hoops to jump through. Eventually Rafa, and Mascherano, got his way and a new #20 was on his way. Initially the deal was a loan deal, much like Tevez’s at Manchester United at the moment, and this was to last for about 18 months. Mascherano arrived about mid-February and immediately made an impression with his incredibly tough (and accurate) tackles, excellent distribution, and ability to break up and prevent attacks. Our defensive unit looked instantly better, and all of a sudden Steven Gerrard was looking the world-class goal scorer we had been accustomed to seeing. After about 18 months, Mascherano signed a permanent deal for 18.6 million, underlining just how amazing he had been for us. Where did that money go? I’m not really sure… but he’s ours now and there is no longer any mystery behind it.
STYLE OF PLAY
If there has ever been someone worthy of the nickname of “Monster,” then this must be the guy. “Monster Masch” is a fearless animal of a defensive midfielder, crunching into any tackle he sees fit, and sometimes ones that nobody in their right mind would attempt… yet he does it successfully. Ever since we got Mascherano, our style of play is more expansive, and we have been more cavalier going forward… as well as getting better results against the bigger sides. Mascherano’s defensive prowess allows for the likes of Alonso and Gerrard to be more creative and push forward, doing what they do best. What Monster Masch does best is sit back, break up play, and get it to someone (like Alonso) who can make things happen. And he does it better than anyone else in the wolrd. Just ask Diego Maradona, manager of Argentina, who claimed that his teamsheet is Javier Mascherano and 10 other guys (like Messi…).
BEST MOMENTS
His goal against Reading was pretty damn impressive, but that is just his only goal, and for a player who is meant for much different things than goalscoring, I’d like to concentrate on other things. You could look at his tackle against Derby that led to the first Torres goal (bravery, commitment, counterattacking at its finest) and you could also look at the Champions League Final in 2007 where he played exceptionally despite defeat, showing he could play at the highest level. For me, though, his best moment was seeing him celebrate his pass that led to Liverpool’s 4th against Real Madrid, where he brilliantly slotted it over to Dossena to give Real Madrid a real hiding. His celebration about a pass said it all… and it is why I’ve chosen it…. he CARES about this club and he loves playing football. You have to love him. You just have to.
TOUGH TIMES
Tough times have been few and far between for Mascherano, but the red card against Manchester United was a black mark on the career of someone who has had little to be ashamed of. This, though, was indeed a disgrace. Several top players have had momentary lapses of madness like it. Beckham v. Argentina, for example. Mascherano and Liverpool were not getting the rub of the green against United, that much was true. He got a yellow card- which was moderately deserved- but then after a horrendous series of blown calls, he lost his head and kept talking at the ref, Steve Bennett. Having enough of the bickering, Bennett sent him off. Enough was enough, and honestly… rightfully so. Mascherano has learned his lesson, and has been a more likeable player since this incident.
2008-2009 SEASON VERDICT
Mascherano has had a very good season. Nothing spectacular, but no matches where you thought, “Wow, he’s totally not at the races today.” This is what Mascherano is all about. Solid, consistent performances where what he does makes the others around him significantly better. Just look at the seasons Kuyt, Gerrard and Alonso have had. Nothing short of brilliant… and Masch’s defensive exploits allow that to happen because they have less defensive duties than before. Well done, Rafa! Way to squeeze them all in there together!
LFC CAREER VERDICT
Over the past two and a half years, Javier Mascherano has been one of our most consistent players. He comes in and out of the side, like Alonso, in certain matches based on the tactics, but you always know that he’ll be there against the top teams, because he is a reliable way to break up attacks. He has also been a big game player, often playing at his best in the Champions League, including the final in 2007 and during this season’s excellent 5-0 aggregate result against Real Madrid. As I said earlier, his exploits over the past few seasons have seen Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso resurrect their abilities. Much credit has gone to Torres for Gerrard’s rise in form, but you have to say that Mascherano was part of that, because even though Gerrard is a great tackler, he’s our best source of inspiration going forward. And Alonso? Same story.
Regardless of whether or not Mascherano is your cup of tea, because he can be a bit ebrasive, he has been a fantastic signing for us and a wonderful addition to our squad that is fairly short on match-winners. Though he may not win the match itself, he has time in and time out given others the space and possession in order to get the job done, as well as protecting scorelines by his excellence in defense. We are all quite grateful that it didn’t work out for Mascherano at West Ham. VERY grateful.
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