Skysports.com looks at Javier Mascherano's career to date as the Argentine edges towards Barca.
Skysports.com looks at Javier Mascherano's career to date as the Argentine edges towards Barcelona. Who will replace the midfielder at Anfield?
Javier Mascherano looks to be on his way out of Anfield after Liverpool reluctantly agreed a fee with Barcelona for the Argentine enforcer. The talented midfield hustler has been a firm favourite on Merseyside since joining Liverpool from West Ham and his absence will be sorely felt. Here,
skysports.com takes a look back at the player's career to date.
1984: Born June 8, San Lorenzo.
2003: July - Makes senior international debut before having appeared for the first team at River Plate in a friendly against Uruguay.
August - Makes River Plate debut and the team go on to win the 2003-04 closing championship.
2004: Part of the Argentina squad which wins the Olympic title in Athens.
2005: July - Following the Confederations Cup in Germany, where Argentina are beaten by Brazil in the final, Mascherano is sold to Brazilian club Corinthians.
2006: June - Mascherano is part of the Argentina squad that reaches the last eight of the World Cup, where they are beaten on penalties by hosts Germany.
August - Signs for West Ham along with fellow Argentinian Carlos Tevez. Their arrival was expected to usher in a takeover bid by a consortium headed by Kia Joorabchian - whose company part-owned the players' registration.
2007: January - After a less than successful period at Upton Park during which time he made just seven appearances, Liverpool came in for the player. However, the club had to request clearance from FIFA to take Mascherano on loan as rules state no player can appear for more than two different clubs between July 1 and June 30 the following year.
January 31 - FIFA approve the deal.
February 20 - Premier League sanction the move.
February 24 - Mascherano makes his Liverpool debut in a 4-0 victory over Sheffield United.
March 2 - The Premier League charged West Ham with breaking rule B13, concerning acting in good faith, and rule U18, which concerns the influence of third-party ownership in relation to their signing of Mascherano and Tevez.They were later handed a fine of £5.5million.
May 23 - Appears in the Champions League final but Liverpool go down 2-1 to AC Milan.
2008: February - Mascherano signs a four-year deal with Liverpool to bring to an end his association with Joorabchian's company Media Sports Investments.
March - Scores his first goal for the Reds against Reading.
August - Mascherano wins his second Olympic title as part of the victorious team in Beijing.
November - Coach Diego Maradona names the midfielder as captain of the Argentina team.
2009: June - Agent Walter Tamer claims Mascherano would like to leave Anfield for Barcelona.
December - Football Association ban Mascherano for four games following his straight red card against Portsmouth to earn his second suspension of the season.
2010: June - Mascherano is vague when questioned about whether he could follow former Reds manager to Inter Milan.
July - Part of the Argentina side that reach the last eight of the World Cup in South Africa before being blown away 4-0 by Germany.
July 27 - Reds boss Roy Hodgson confirms Mascherano has expressed a wish to leave Liverpool.
August 27 - Liverpool agree terms with Barcelona for Mascherano's transfer to Nou Camp.
How much will Mascherano be missed? Do Liverpool have enough time to bring in a replacement? Is this is a sign that Liverpool are struggling to keep hold of their top players?
