|
|
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson angered by Barcelona's pursuit of Javier Mascherano
Argentine's 'head has been turned' by Catalans...
24 Aug 2010 12:12:00
By Zack Wilson
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has insisted that Javier Mascherano was left out of the Reds squad which lost 3-0 at Manchester City on Monday evening because he has been distracted by Barcelona's public pursuit of him.
The Reds gaffer expressed annoyance at the way in which the Catalan giants were handling the possible move, with the Anfield outfit having rejected an offer of £18.8 million plus Alexander Hleb for the Argentine midfielder.
That offer does not match Liverpool's valuation of £24.5m and Hodgson was in uncompromising mood at a press conference on Monday.
"Javier Mascherano is not in the right frame of mind at the moment to play a game because his head has been turned by the offer from Barcelona," he told reporters.
"The fee we are being offered and the fee they [Barcelona] think is the correct fee are very, very far apart.
"Unless that can be resolved, he [Mascherano] might be unhappy for a long time to come.
"It's not the first time these things happen and there are quite a lot of clubs suffering at the moment from players being courted by other clubs and the players therefore being unhappy at being required to fulfil their contracts.
"It has happened to us now, but this matter has developed over the last couple of days."
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
The Reds gaffer expressed annoyance at the way in which the Catalan giants were handling the possible move, with the Anfield outfit having rejected an offer of £18.8 million plus Alexander Hleb for the Argentine midfielder.
That offer does not match Liverpool's valuation of £24.5m and Hodgson was in uncompromising mood at a press conference on Monday.
"Javier Mascherano is not in the right frame of mind at the moment to play a game because his head has been turned by the offer from Barcelona," he told reporters.
"The fee we are being offered and the fee they [Barcelona] think is the correct fee are very, very far apart.
"Unless that can be resolved, he [Mascherano] might be unhappy for a long time to come.
"It's not the first time these things happen and there are quite a lot of clubs suffering at the moment from players being courted by other clubs and the players therefore being unhappy at being required to fulfil their contracts.
"It has happened to us now, but this matter has developed over the last couple of days."
Our 
provides the best breaking news online and our 
football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!
provides the best breaking news online and our football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory
Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused
-
Poll: Who should have replaced Cahill in the England squad?
Martin Kelly has replaced Cahill in the Three Lions squad going to Poland and Ukraine, but would Rio Ferdinand or Micah Richards have been more deserving?
-
Cartoon: Terry & Cahill add to England's injury concerns
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day...
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
