Javier Mascherano’s cup woe is his personal driving force

Feb 14 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

JAVIER MASCHERANO has spoken of the double pain that has made him desperate for cup glory with Liverpool this season.

The all-action midfielder suffered the heartbreak of losing two finals within the space of a month last summer.

Mascherano was in the Liverpool side that lost the Champions League final to AC Milan in Athens in May.

And a month later, the 23-year-old was part of the Argentina team that finished runners-up to Brazil in the Copa America in Venezuela.

Rafael Benitez’s side are entering a pivotal period of their campaign, entertaining Barnsley in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday and then playing host to Inter Milan in the first leg of the Champions League first knockout round on Tuesday.

And Mascherano is determined to make it third time lucky in the cups.

“When you lose any final, it’s painful,” he said. “But suffering defeat in such a massive game as the Champions League or Copa America last year was really hard to take.

“Even when I was back in South America I always watched the European Cup games and loved it. It’s the most important title you can win in club football and we were so close to doing it.

“This time winning one would be really nice. Hopefully it will happen this season in the Champions League or FA Cup because I don’t want another silver medal – I prefer gold!

“I just love play-ing in these big cup games with Liverpool. I went from not playing at West Ham to being involved in such huge occasions. It doesn’t really get any better than this. Hopefully there are a few more great days and nights around the corner.”

Mascherano, who is close to signing a permanent contract at Liverpool, has become a cult figure with supporters since arriving at Anfield on an 18-month loan last January.

His tough tackling ways have earned him 11 bookings in 48 games – four of which have come in the Champions League – and the midfielder accepts it’s an area of his game that must be addressed.

“In England you have to be tougher,” said Mascherano. “The teams are more physical and harder, especially in midfield, and there are plenty of tackles flying in. That’s how I like to play and it suits me.

“But in the Champions League, I probably get booked too often. It doesn’t seem to happen too much in other games.

“That means I have to be a bit more careful, but I’ll still always make the tackles I have to. That’s my job and I’m more than happy to do it.”