He’s leaving Barça after seven and a half years.
Javier Mascherano is set to sign for Chinese Super League club Hebei Fortune in the next few days as he bids farewell to Barcelona, where he spent seven and a half years of his career.
He won 17 titles at Barcelona, including two Champions League trophies, and played a crucial role in Barcelona’s period of dominance. That is why, despite the fact he is now 33 years old, many Liverpool fans wish their club had made an attempt to re-sign the player.
Mascherano left Liverpool in August 2010 for Barça, having played a huge role in Rafa Benítez’s Liverpool side of the late 00s alongside Xabi Alonso in defensive midfield.
Perhaps with a slight hint of nostalgia and a dash of knee-jerk reaction after Monday night’s defeat to Swansea, many Liverpool fans want him back at Anfield.
Know he's going to China, but would love LFC to give Mascherano a six month contract. Holding midfield or centre-back. Leader, winner and downright nasty bastard.
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) January 11, 2018
Come back home @Mascherano #LFC
— MattC (@LFC_Obsessed_) January 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/Broken__Monkey/status/955835696828289024
I’d take him back any day!!! #LFC #Klopp @LFC
— Shelley (@liverbirdsd) January 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/TB6391/status/955830877988294657
Mascherano to come back to Anfield? I would welcome that! #LFC
— Mark Shannon (@Cricketdel) January 23, 2018
Would you have Mascherano back at Liverpool ? #YNWA #LFC #BARCA
— Jay Chambers (@JChambersSN) January 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/CJShaffner/status/955827996715376646
In truth, there is very little chance that Liverpool would consider re-signing the Argentine given his age, lack of pace and the amounts of energy required to play in Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool side.
But it does highlight the fact that despite spending £75m on Virgil van Dijk, there are still weaknesses in this Liverpool team. Emre Can been subject to a lot of criticism from fans of late, maybe Liverpool’s need for a proper holding midfield has amplified the nostalgic desire to bring Mascherano back to Anfield.
