Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has revealed
he would like to move back to River Plate within the next four
years.
Mascherano, 25, played for River between 2003 and 2005 before
moving to Brazilian side Corinthians, where he played alongside
Carlos
Tevez.
A brief and unhappy spell at West Ham followed in 2006, but he
reignited his career with a move to Liverpool. Mascherano remains
grateful to the club and, despite indications he was eager to move
to Spain last summer, he has since suggested he would like to
extend his stay at Anfield.
Asked how he has found life at the club, he told FIFA:
"It's been fantastic and I don't get tired of saying that. They've
treated my family and I superbly right from day one and we don't
have any complaints. Liverpool is a lovely little city, too, and
it's growing fast."
Mascherano admits, however, that he misses his native
Argentina.
"I've been away for five years now and you always miss home and
feel nostalgic about it when you're away," he said. "I've gradually
got used to it, though.
"Even so, when the fixture list comes out I always check when
the season ends so I can start booking flights."
Asked if he could return to Argentina soon, he said: "You never
know and I don't want to be tied down by what I say, but I don't
think I'll be staying on forever. Right now, I'm thinking about
playing for another three or four years at the highest level and
returning home to play at a good level there.
"I want to enjoy Argentinian football for four or five years and
I'd love to do it at River (Plate), the club that gave me
everything and treated me so well."