my liverpool fc

Mascherano eyes permanent deal October 27 2007

Javier Mascherano is holding thumbs over making his loan deal at Liverpool a permanent one at the end of the current season.

The Argentina international prepares for Sunday's home clash with Premier League leaders Arsenal intent on pushing the Reds towards their first title in 17 years.

But his own future is already becoming a source of debate. The midfielder arrived from West Ham during last season on an 18-month loan with the prospect of a permanent deal to be discussed at a later stage.

Mascherano's move to the Hammers - along with countryman Carlos Tevez - caused the east London club and the Premier League major problems last term due to third party involvement in the deals.

The Anfield club will have to negotiate with those same third party investors to sort out Mascherano's future, and already sources have started linking him with a move to Spain or Italy.

But Mascherano said: "Of course I would love to stay and I will do everything I can to see that this happens. It depends on what everyone decides at the end of the season.

"I have just got to make sure everyone is happy with my performances and they want me to stay. From a personal point of view, I want to be here to play in the new stadium.

"We are already one of the greatest clubs in the world, but with the plans for the future we could become the world's greatest team."

Mascherano knows, though, that the immediate objective is to recover from the UEFA Champions League nightmare of Besiktas in midweek that has cast a giant shadow over the club.

They may still be unbeaten in the domestic league this season, but a visit of the impressive Gunners will put much of Liverpool's ambitions, long and short term, under the microscope.

And Mascherano understands the desire of the Anfield fans to lift the title again.

He added: "I know how much it means to the fans to win the title after so long, and we want to win the league as much as they do, believe me.

"Everyone wants the league but we do not want to just put the Champions League to one side, certainly we need to make amends for what happened in midweek.

"We have this strong belief and mentality here that we can do it in the league. But of all the leagues I have played in, and I always tell people this, the Premier League is by far the toughest.

"Every team can give you a run for your money. A lot of teams are quite even, but the good thing for us is that we have got great players and we have still to go to play all the teams above us."

He continued: "This is a massive game, and the best thing is it will give us the chance to close the gap on the top. It's the sort our game in which we can prove we are ready for a season-long challenge for the title."