<table border="3" width="100%" id="table1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="0"><!--
--> <tr><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><!--
--> <p align="center"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">Season</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">TD</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">CAS</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">CMP</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">INT</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">SPP</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="40%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">Awards</font></b></td><!--
--> </tr><!--
--> <tr><!-- STATS FOR SEASON
--> <td bgcolor="#000000" align="center"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b><!-- INSERT SEASON NUMBER-->1</b></font></td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT TDS-->1</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT CAS-->1</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT CMP-->2</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT INT-->0</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT SPP-->12</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT AWARDS--><img border=0 src="http://fumbbl.com/teams/151760.jpg" alt="Season 1 Veteran"> <!--
--> </tr><!-- END OF SEASON STATS
--> </table>

Argentinian international Javier Mascherano joined Liverpool in January 2007 after the Premier League approved his transfer from West Ham.


The 22-year-old Argentinian international becomes the most high-profile of the Reds' transfer window signings and will offer Benitez more options in the centre of midfield.

He began his professional career with South American giants River Plate. Such was his potential that he earned an senior international call-up before kicking a ball for River. He'd already represented his country in both the FIFA Youth and Under-17 World Championships.

In 2004, Mascherano was part of the Argentina side which won gold at the Olympic Games.

The midfield anchorman moved to Brazilian club Corinthians the following year, immediately helping them to win the Campeonato Brasileiro.

By this time he'd become a regular international and, thanks to a series of fine displays in the 2006 World Cup, was known by football fans across the globe.

Mascherano's performances in Germany led to links with several of Europe's top clubs, though West Ham eventually clinched his signature alongside that of countryman Carlos Tevez.

He played just seven times for The Hammers before heading north to Merseyside.