Liverpool new boy Javier Mascherano
is looking to the future after ending his nightmare spell at West
Ham.
The Argentinian midfielder was cleared to join The Reds earlier
this week and is likely to make his debut for his new club against
Sheffield United on Saturday.
Mascherano has not played in the Premiership since December and is
keen to start afresh under Rafa Benitez at Anfield.
The 22-year-old is willing to take some of the blame for his
disastrous spell with The Hammers but feels he was not given a fair
opportunity at Upton Park.
"I do not really want to talk about what happened at West Ham, I
want to look to the future. But maybe my face did not fit,"
Mascherano said.
"First of all, I have to take some of the responsibility myself. I
clearly didn't play well enough to warrant a place in the
team.
"The backroom staff obviously didn't think I was worth it. I didn't
play a great deal but I have to take my share of the blame.
"I came over here with hopes of playing football on a regular
basis, and it didn't work out like that. It was a tough period, but
I never allowed myself to get too down.
"I trained hard and kept the belief that my football was okay. I
got occasional games, so I was involved. I always lived in hope
that things would work out."
Mascherano is now fully focused on forging a career for himself
with Liverpool and has thanked Benitez for taking a chance on
him.
He added: "There are amazing players in Liverpool, like Steven
Gerrard, and that is why there is going to be great
competition.
"I know that I'll have to be in a very good shape, and that doesn't
scare me.
"It was very useful for me to speak with Rafa Benitez. He showed a
great deal of interest in the way I play, and that made me feel
confident.
"After three months without playing, a call from my new coach
saying that he trusted me was the best thing that could happen to
me. That's what I needed."
