JAVIER MASCHERANO has hit out at moneybags Manchester City’s attempts to take a short-cut to success by blasting: you can buy players but you can’t buy history.

Liverpool travel to Eastlands tomorrow for what could prove a pivotal game in the race for the final Champions League qualification berth.

City’s progress during the past 18 months has been bankrolled by their billionaire Abu Dhabi owners, who have spent more than £200million on new signings.

Mascherano, along with team-mates Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, is among a host of players City are thought to be tracking ahead of the summer transfer window.

But the Argentine has dismissed the suggestion of moving down the East Lancs Road and warned City their riches can never replicate Liverpool’s heritage.

“Maybe if City got in the top four they would build on that like Chelsea did before, but I will say one thing: you can buy players, but you cannot buy history,” said Mascherano. “At Liverpool we play with the history of the club.

“We don’t have the money that they have, but we are proud to play for Liverpool. I don’t want to play for Manchester City. Yes, they have money and they are building a good team but I am still proud to play for Liverpool.

“You can buy stars but you cannot buy history and I think Manchester City respect Liverpool. I think they know we have some very good players too and we will fight until the end. Then we will see what happens.”

Only three points separates the four teams fighting for fourth place, with City currently in pole position a point ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand, and both Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa following closely behind.

But with 11 games still remaining after the weekend, Mascherano has reiterated manager Rafael Benitez’s belief tomorrow’s game will not prove decisive.