Mascherano hoping for long-term deal

Javier Mascherano expects to enjoy a long relationship with the Liverpool fans after revealing his protracted transfer should be finalised by the end of the week.

The Argentina midfielder has been at Anfield since ending a brief stint at West Ham and although he is currently on a long-term loan deal from owners MSI, Rafael Benitez’s desire to make that a permanent move looks set to be realised in the next few days.