Liverpool’s 15 most expensive sold players
By Ethan Lowe
Javier Mascherano
Date Sold: 30th August 2010 Appearances: 139 Goals: 2
Mascherano is still a pretty hot topic in regards to Liverpool news, with the former Liverpool player opening up about why he left the club just several days ago.
Javier Mascherano started his career young, impressing in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship when owned by River Plate. He then moved to the Brazilian side Corinthians, but was actually owned by the investment funds that signed him. The Brazilian club has a very close relationship with these investment funds, that provided cash injections in return for some control over the club. After some difficulties between the investment funds and Corinthians, Javier Mascherano and team-mate Carlos Tevez were sold to West Ham for undisclosed fees.
For reasons unknown, Mascherano played only 7 games for a struggling West Ham, with Rafa Benitez seeing this as the perfect opportunity to sign a quality player. Benitez even flew to London to meet him, spending four hours at Canary Wharf talking with Mascherano and apparently using stones to explain the role he wanted him to fulfil at Liverpool. After smoothing over some issues with FIFA, Liverpool were able to loan Mascherano in January 2007.
The ‘little chief’ impressed the fans, his team-mates and his manager with his incredible footballing talent. His strong and skilled tackling, great distribution and passionate spirit were key to his success at Anfield, with Liverpool paying £17million to sign Mascherano permanently in February, 2008. Mascherano impressed at Liverpool, capturing the fans despite his poor disciplinary record, before he moved to Barcelona in 2010.
5) Javier Mascherano: Sold for £17,250,000
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