Abby Brammell

By Sportsmail Reporter

Warm welcome: Javier Mascherano waves during his official presentation at the Nou Camp


Javier Mascherano completed his troubled move to Barcelona on Monday night, then accused Liverpool of lying.

The Argentina captain was labelled ‘selfish’ by Anfield boss Roy Hodgson, who claimed the midfielder had refused to play for the club in a Europa League tie to try to force through his move.

But Mascherano, 26, said: ‘Roy Hodgson knows the truth. This is a happy moment for me so now is not the moment to say it, but a lot of lies have been spoken about me and shortly I will respond.’

The midfielder said he was close to moving to Barca a year ago but Liverpool refused to sell him because Xabi Alonso was leaving. He added: ‘When the best club in the world calls you, then it is something that you want to happen.’

Mascherano, who cost Barcelona £22million, says he hopes Liverpool get back into the top four in the Barclays Premier League. ‘I hope they get back into the Champions League as soon as possible. I still have a lot of affection for the fans of the club.’

Mascherano signed a four-year deal at the Nou Camp office of new club president Sandro Rosell. The contract has a buy-out clause of £74million.

Mascherano will wear the number 14 shirt with Barca, which was previously the number worn by Thierry Henry prior to the Frenchman's departure this summer.


Meeting the boss: Mascherano poses with Barcelona president Sandro Rosell


The Argentina midfielder will have to vie for playing time with Spain trio Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta at the heart of Pep Guardiola's side, but insisted he wasn't deterred by the challenge.

'It would be stupid to think I would come here and be playing every game,' Mascherano said. 'You have to respect the people who are already doing well and who have won everything. In the positions I play in, there are three world champions.

'It will be an honour to be able learn from them and to grow with them.'

Barca's sporting vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu said the 26-year-old had taken a pay cut to help complete the move, and said Mascherano's arrival would be their last of the current transfer window.

Mascherano became Barca's third acquisition of the summer after Spain striker David Villa and Brazilian full back Adriano Correia, and he helps fill the gap left by Yaya Toure's departure to Manchester City.






source: dailymail