Javier Mascherano was saddened by the response his former teammate Fernando Torres received from Liverpool fans when he signed for Chelsea.
Torres signed for Chelsea on Monday in a deal worth 50 million pounds, a move which angered many Liverpool supporters, some of whom vented their feelings by burning shirts with Torres’ name on the back.
Now-Barcelona midfielder Mascherano is uniquely placed to know what Torres was feeling, having been on the receiving end of similar treatment from the Anfield faithful after his own controversial move to Barcelona last year.
“When I left Liverpool there were no shirts burnt, but it seemed as if I had killed someone,” Mascherano said.
“It is sad and nothing new, that people like Fernando have done a lot for Liverpool – not winning titles but enjoying good form – have to leave via the back door.”
“Besides being a move that one feels is a step forward, it is something that the press and the club want to make seem as if the players are the guilty party.”
“I spoke to Fernando and he doesn’t have anything to worry about as he did very well for Liverpool. He played when injured in order to help the club, so he has no reason to worry.”
Meanwhile, Mascherano is wary of the threat Barcelona face from a struggling Atletico Madrid outfit in Saturday’s La Liga clash.
Quique Sanchez Flores’ side visit the Nou Camp sitting in seventh place in the league, and the Europa League champions have won only once in La Liga this year causing supporters to voice discontent at the team’s form.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are on a 19-match unbeaten run and they secured a berth in April’s Copa del Rey final with a 3-0 second-leg win over Almeria on Wednesday, yet Mascherano insists they cannot afford to take the visitors lightly.
“I think that this is the most dangerous thing, when a big team like Atletico Madrid are hurt they present a bigger threat,” he said.
“They have a very good team, who won an international title last year in the Europa League.”
“This year they were in the Super Cup against the World Champions, so we can’t underestimate them.”
“Maybe they haven’t had good results in the last few games, but they are still a big team. When a big team is hurt, then they want to have a good game against Barcelona – the league leaders.”
