Remember Javier Mascherano? The Argentina international midfielder who was a cult hero at Anfield during his three-year spell is reportedly back on Liverpool’s radar.
According to reports in the Diario Gol, the Reds have made an offer to re-sign their former player from Barcelona. The 33-year-old versatile midfielder is reportedly mulling over his future at Nou Camp and could make a move out of the club.
The report also mentions that Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have also tabled offers for the player who has largely played as a defender at Barcelona. He is currently contracted to the Catalan giants until 2019 and is contemplating whether to see out the rest of his deal or leave early.
This is not the first time that the Argentine has been linked with the exit door at Barcelona, as he seriously considered moving away two years back too. There were reports of interest from Manchester United as Mascherano wanted to move back to his natural midfield position.
However, that talk didn’t move beyond the papers but now it seems like the player is seriously considering moving to one of the three clubs interested in him.
Where will he fit in at Anfield? It was as a defensive midfielder that Mascherano excelled during his previous tenure and endeared himself to the Kop faithful with tenacious displays.
He has since transformed into a defender at Barcelona and it remains to be seen if he will come back to play as a defender or a midfielder. We are crying for help in the back four and an experienced head like Mascherano is the need of the hour. However, there are doubts if he has the legs to make his homecoming a success.
Also, he is not a traditional centre-back, although he is very effective in whatever role he plays. Someone like Virgil van Dijk is a natural solution to Liverpool woes.
Mascherano is a welcome addition to Jurgen Klopp’s side if he comes back as a midfielder. But, as a defender, he may not be the one to solve Liverpool’s crisis.
What’s your opinion on this?
