Javier Mascherano
Despite only being at Anfield for a short time, Mascherano blamed Roy Hodgson for his Liverpool exit. According to The Times, Mascherano returned to join pre-season with the Reds in 2010 and held several meetings, where the club made promises to him. He claimed that the promises were never fulfilled, which led to his departure. The Argentine midfielder joined Barcelona and has since enjoyed a wonderfully successful career in Spain.
“I didn’t want to say anything at the time because of my respect for Liverpool. Maybe that was a mistake because it allowed other people to say bad things about me. But I do not regret it. Liverpool is a special club and it does not deserve to be treated badly. The people who were there at the time – the manager [Roy Hodgson] and Christian Purslow – have now gone but they know the truth. They started to make things difficult for me.”
Steve McManaman
McManaman’s saga began in 1997, when Liverpool – fearing he’d leave on a fee – accepted an offer from Barcelona. However, that deal fell apart and he eventually signed a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid, leaving him five difficult months to remain a Red. He was described as a contract rebel and a mercenary at the time, but Liverpool fans appeared to soften by the end of the season and still gave him a memorable Anfield farewell.
Liverpool manager Roy Evans saw the lighter side of the situation and defended his player, stating: “Macca is so laid-back you would never know he was hurting inside. But he has been. Some of the criticisms have been so unfair. Typical of Macca, he’s responded magnificently.”
