Mascherano Kop plea

By Simon Mullock, sundaymirror.co.uk 11/11/2007

Javier Mascherano wants to be told inside the next month whether he has a long-term future at Liverpool - and he insists he will not play for another English club if he doesn't get the answer he craves.

The Argentine midfielder's 18-month loan spell at Anfield expires in the summer and he is desperate for boss Rafa Benitez to make the move permanent.

Liverpool will have to pay Mascherano's owners - the football investment company MSI - £17million to keep the 23-year-old and with their Champions League fate still in the balance and Benitez having a number of midfield options, Barcelona are watching developments.

Masherano told Sunday Mirror Sport not even a rival offer from either Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal would tempt him to stay in the Premier League if Benitez does not take up the option of sealing the deal.

"I want to stay with Liverpool and I have told everyone in the club I want to stay, but what the club wants to do is not my decision to make," said Mascherano.

"I'd like Liverpool to tell me what their plans are in the next month because obviously I want to know what will be happening to me as soon as possible.

"I am calm and relaxed about it. From my point of view it is simple - I want to play for Liverpool, I want to sign a permanent deal. I have told Rafa Benitez this and he has told me he wants to keep me. Now the club must talk to my owners about a fee or tell me that they don't want me."

Mascherano added: "I have had enough of travelling the world from club to club. I want roots, and I want them here in Liverpool. I don't want to move again next summer but if I do not sign for Liverpool then I will not play for another club in England. Not Manchester United, not Chelsea or Arsenal.

"If I am not with Liverpool I don't want to be in England. It would be impossible for me to play against them in the Premier League because of the respect I have for the club. I want to stay in England, but only with Liverpool.

"The club created an opportunity for me which I am grateful for so no other English club will come into my thoughts."

Mascherano began his career with River Plate before moving to Brazilian club Corinthians. He arrived at West Ham at the start of last season before moving to Liverpool last January.

But Liverpool's European fate will dictate whether Benitez (above) is given the cash to keep the Argentine, with Liverpool needing to beat both Porto and Valencia to progress in the Champions League. Mascherano said: "By staying here I will become a better player and that way I can help Liverpool to be more successful.

"It would also be fantastic to form a long-term partnership with Steve Gerrard - everyone knows he is one of the best midfield players in the world."