Javier Mascherano: Liverpool didn’t want to keep me

The 26-year-old midfielder is disappointed with the manner of his and Torres' departures from Anfield

Former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has hit out at his old club over the manner in which the Merseysiders handled both his and Fernando Torres’ Anfield exits. 

The 26-year-old Argentina captain was sold to Barcelona for Ã‚Â£22m last summer but only after he refused to play for the club as the August transfer deadline approached. 

The midfielder claims Liverpool did not do enough to convince both him and TorresÃ¢â‚¬â€who joined Chelsea this week for Ã‚Â£50mÃ¢â‚¬â€to stay at Anfield. 

“I was not surprised about what happened with Fernando,” Mascherano told ESPN. “ When I left Liverpool, it looked as if I killed someone.  It is sad that the people who did something important with the club have to leave by the back door. 

“It is sad that the press and the club try to convince people that it is all the player’s fault when the reality is that Liverpool didn’t show the interest in keeping us in the club. 

“The most important players didn’t leave the club well.  I spoke with Fernando and I said to him that he doesn’t have to be worried because he did his best for the club. 

“Even though he didn’t win any trophies, he was a very important player and helped this club all the time.” 

Mascherano has struggled to make an impact since arriving at Barcelona having made just 14 league appearances and being unable to dislodge Sergio Busquets as Pep Guardiola’s first choice holding midfielder.