Mascherano in no mood to compromise

[JPK]

The club versus country row between Liverpool and Javier Mascherano looks set to rumble on after the Argentine reiterated his intention to represent his country at this summer’s Olympics.

Lucas Leiva and Sebastian Leto are also likely to head to Beijing and miss the start of the Premier League season, but it is Mascherano’s potential absence that is giving Rafa Benitez the biggest headache.

The Spaniard has already confirmed that he will seek to block the tenacious midfielder’s jaunt to China, but he looks to have a fight on his hands.

"It's important for any athlete to defend the gold medal,” said Mascherano. "I might be the only person from my country ever to do it and I'll go down in history.

"I owe Rafa a lot in my career and I'm very appreciative of him but I want to go to Beijing because nothing counts for me more than helping my nation.

"He knows I leave my life on the pitch every time I play for Liverpool."

http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/05/31/Prem-Mascherano-on-Olympics/

Quality and true quote from Javier. **** this olympic crap though. We should demand that he stays.

[EST_1892]

It's a very noble sentiment from Mascher, but if we were to drop 3 or 4 points at the start of the season due to his absence then he's got to stay here. If next season is to be THE season, then every player needs to focus on that and nothing else. Sorry Masher (as if he reads)!

[EwarWoo]

On the other hand if we force him to stay his mind won't be on the job and we'll be just as bad as if he was away, with the added impact of souring the relationship.

Stop posturing rafa and let the fella go represent his country!

[EST_1892]

On the other hand if we force him to stay his mind won't be on the job!

I don't believe that. He is saying what his fellow countrymen want him to say, but come the start of the season, I think/wish/hope/ he will be fully committed to the LFC cause.

It may be harsh, but at the end of the day LFC pay him a hefty wage to do a job for us and not Argentina.

P.S,

God forbid if he was to be seriously injured whilst on Olympic duty. The site would be up in arms about him being there in the first place...no?

[Scratch]

But then, at the end of the day, we knew the risks when we bought him, so if the lad wants to represent his country at the olympics, then by all means let him. We'll just have to hope we have an easy fixture or two at the start of the campaign.

[EST_1892]

There certainly is a dilemma as to whether he plays or not, but really, is he just saying what the Argentine fans/fellow players want to hear or does he really, REALLY want to miss the start of possibly the most important league campaign he could possibly ever feature in?

I just don't know but I sense a bit of 'spin' somewhere along the line???

[ningnangnong]

Argentinians are very passionate about their team, not like in England where half the country couldn't give a ****.

He wants to play, there is great pride in playing for Argentina. I'm guessing if he doesn't play he'll be ridiculed immensely by the fans over there.

[EwarWoo]

God forbid if he was to be seriously injured whilst on Olympic duty. The site would be up in arms about him being there in the first place...no?

It would be devastating to us, but not from this quarter no. You get an international player, you take this risk. It's the way it is.

[tommyg]

Let the lad play.

[Lynchyred]

Good job there's a load of Rafa's above to make a decision. Easy this, internet managing!

[Nicey]

The club versus country row between Liverpool and Javier Mascherano looks set to rumble on after the Argentine reiterated his intention to represent his country at this summer’s Olympics.

Lucas Leiva and Sebastian Leto are also likely to head to Beijing and miss the start of the Premier League season, but it is Mascherano’s potential absence that is giving Rafa Benitez the biggest headache.

The Spaniard has already confirmed that he will seek to block the tenacious midfielder’s jaunt to China, but he looks to have a fight on his hands.

"It's important for any athlete to defend the gold medal,” said Mascherano. "I might be the only person from my country ever to do it and I'll go down in history.

"I owe Rafa a lot in my career and I'm very appreciative of him but I want to go to Beijing because nothing counts for me more than helping my nation.

"He knows I leave my life on the pitch every time I play for Liverpool."

http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/05/31/Prem-Mascherano-on-Olympics/

Quality and true quote from Javier. **** this olympic crap though. We should demand that he stays.

Fair ****s to him ... My kind player ... if half the ****wits that play for England and Ireland had his Minerals both countries would be at the Euro 2008

The Monster speaks and it is good

[Attilladahun]

Its a tough one but I think this is one rafa probably can't win and if he does it could be a hollow victory!

[chadrtc]

You can't really blame him. An Olympic gold medal is a pretty nice addition to the trophy cabinet.

All this shows is how much of a winner the lad is. An absolute class act who'll no doubt make up for the time he's away by working doubly hard when he gets back.

I think if we play well though, he may have to win his place back!

[The Glove]

Let him go and play. It could be worse, he could go missing at the business end of the season. Besides, gives me a reason to watch the Olympic Footy now.

[Guest]

You can't really blame him. An Olympic gold medal is a pretty nice addition to the trophy cabinet.

All this shows is how much of a winner the lad is. An absolute class act who'll no doubt make up for the time he's away by working doubly hard when he gets back.

I think if we play well though, he may have to win his place back!