Javier Mascherano expects to be made a permanent Liverpool player by the end of the week, the Argentine told reporters on Monday. The 23-year-old has been playing at Anfield for over a year on a long-term loan from rights holder, Media Sport Investment. Because he’s owned by an agency and not a club, the deal did not have to be completed before last Thursday’s transfer deadline. Mascherano’s transfer will cost $37.2 million.
“It’s not finished, yet but I am hoping to stay here,” the Argentine told Liverpool’s official website. “I have a lot of confidence that after the next week I will be able to say, ‘Everything is right and I am staying here in Liverpool.'” He added: “The fans like me and I love the fans. They are great and that’s the reason I want to stay here.”
Mascherano played his 26th game for Liverpool in a 3-0 win against Sunderland at Anfield on Saturday. “We owed the fans a result,” Mascherano said, adding that the result will give the Reds confidence heading into this week’s international break before the Reds play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.