Former Liverpool star Javier Mascherano has opened up on his regret over how his Anfield career ended in 2010.
Mascherano joined the Reds from Premier League rivals West Ham United in 2007 as he untangled himself from an unorthodox third party ownership agreement.
The combative midfielder instantly became a fans favourite at Anfield as part of Rafael Benitez's engine room alongside Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard.
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However, despite his importance to the club, the departure of Benitez in 2010 unsettled Mascherano as he pushed to leave the club amid family pressure to move away from the UK.
Mascherano has previously admitted his frustration at what he saw was a lack of support from the club over his decision as his role became increasingly tense.
The situation ended in an ugly exit, as Mascherano infamously went on strike for a Premier League game against Manchester City, before finally securing his move to Barcelona.
The saga marks a regrettable chapter in Mascherano's career, before his incredible success in Catalonia, and he admits it was not how he wanted it to end.
"We’d spoken about extending my contract, but it seemed like the directors didn’t care about me. In the preseason after Rafa left, Roy Hodgson arrived", as per quotes from the Daily Mirror.
"We had a meeting with the managing director, Christian Purslow, who told me I could go if a good offer came in. There was an offer on the table, but Liverpool looked the other way.
"I was angry they weren’t keeping their word. Refusing to play at Man City was the way I showed my annoyance.
"I told the club I wanted to leave for family reasons, so I was very upset to have to act the way I did, there was no other option.
"But, I understand the Liverpool fans were frustrated and I regret the way it happened."
Mascherano is currently splitting his time between head coach roles of Argentina's U20 and U23 teams after leading the latter the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
