my liverpool fc

JAVIER MASCHERANO today insisted he has learned the harsh lessons of his most recent visit to Old Trafford and will not be repeating the moment of madness which led to him being sent off there last season.

Liverpool make the short trip up the M62 on Saturday to meet league leaders Manchester United in a win or bust clash which will determine whether or not they can get back into the race for the title.

Mascherano knows the Reds will need to have eleven men on the pitch if they are to stand a realistic chance of beating the reigning champions and has vowed to keep his passions in check.

The Argentinian still has regrets over his dismissal in the first half of Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of their North West rivals in the corresponding fixture last season.

Having been booked for a foul on Paul Scholes, Mascherano was then forced to take an early bath after receiving a second yellow for a show of dissent to referee Steve Bennett.

The 24-year-old said:is adamant that he has learned from his mistakes and with the two sides set to meet at Old Trafford on Saturday he has pledged to avoid any confrontation with match referee Alan Wiley.“I made a mistake last season and it was a very sad day for me.

“But now I have learned the lessons and I know that it will not happen again.”

“Now I am just trying to play for my team and I try not to talk anymore with the referees.”

Mascherano did get himself involved with Belgian referee Frank de Bleeckere after being booked for kicking the ball away during Tuesday night’s 4-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Liverpool are unhappy with that decision as replays appear to show that Mascherano kicked the ball as the official was blowing his whistle, not afterwards.

The midfielder will now serve a one game ban in the Champions League but does not want to dwell on that, preferring to focus on the performance of the team which he believes proves they have a genuine chance of upsetting the odds and winning at Old Trafford.