Mascherano sorry for poor season

JAVIER MASCHERANO has apologised to Liverpool fans for their poor Premier League performances this season and admitted that negotiations over his possible move to Barcelona left him frustrated and unable to focus on his own game.

The midfielder, who is set to captain Argentina at the World Cup, also admitted that his family have found it hard to settle in Liverpool and that he barely left his house during winter.

“The situation with Barcelona really affected me,” said Mascherano, who was close to a move to Spain last August. “There were lots of discussions during that period and it was a difficult time for me. One day I was off to Barcelona, the next I wasn’t.