Masch: City can't buy history

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has insisted he will never play for Manchester City.

The Argentine says that City can pay as much as they want for players - but that 'you can't buy history'.

The 25-year-old, who himself is one of several big names linked with City in recent times, insists he could never be lured to Eastlands.

"City have bought some very good players and they have a very good team, but I will say one thing - you can buy players, but you cannot buy history," he said.

"I certainly don't want to play for City.

"You can buy stars, you can spend a lot of money to be in the top four, more than us I know, but you can't buy what we have at Anfield.

"Here we play with the history of the club behind us. We don't have their money but we are proud to play for Liverpool.

"I know that they have the money and they are building a good side but I am still so proud to play for Liverpool."

Liverpool travel to City on Sunday, and Mascherano knows defeat would leave the Manchester side in pole position to claim fourth place.

"It is normal for Liverpool to play under pressure all the time, but maybe not for City," he said.

"And although they have spent a lot of money to reach the top four, and have some good players, so do we.

"I think City respect Liverpool because of our history. We will fight until the end."

Mascherano will not get the chance to face his compatriot and close friend Carlos Tevez in the match as he is currently back in Argentina after the premature birth of his daughter.

"We know it will be good for us if Carlito cannot play because we know how good he is," he said.

"I have spoken to him this week but not about football, but because I was worried as the baby was born early.

"I still don't know whether he will stay in Argentina or come back and play. The main thing for me, the only thing, is that he is happy and the baby is well. If he plays, he plays, but the family is the main thing."

Mascherano remains hopeful that Liverpool will seal the final Champions League spot.

"We are in the position where it depends on us. If we succeed, they will have problems, so we have to do our job," he said.

"So we know how important it is to win. If we manage it, then it'll be more difficult for them and they will be the ones under more pressure, that's for sure.

"I know everybody is expecting us to be in the top four - but I have the belief and confidence that we can be there.

"It's true, our experience of having been there already could be important. It depends on the players and if they can manage things well.

"But over the last four or five years we've done well in various competitions so this can hopefully help us. We have managed the pressure well.

"Ourselves and City, as well as Tottenham and Aston Villa, are in a position where we have to keep going until the end.

"Perhaps one game can be a big difference, so it's important to manage the pressure and maybe our experience can help.

"Perhaps City fans are expecting the team to do better now and they will have a little bit of pressure - and maybe it will be more difficult for them.

"But the most important thing for us is not to concentrate on City, but on us. We need to be in a good position and have the chance to invest in the future."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.