JAVIER MASCHERANO learnt the words to a derogatory John Terry chant to wind him up, according to reports.
The Argentine star, 36, went down as a fan-favourite at Anfield thanks to his tenacity and skill despite only spending three years at the club.
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But Mascherano’s status as Reds icon will be confirmed after it emerged the midfielder went to incredible lengths to wind up Terry – then-public enemy No1 in the red half of Merseyside..
Liverpool and Chelsea were locked in a fierce rivalry during the Rafa Benitez-Jose Mourinho era and beyond.
Incredibly, the two English giants met in EVERY Champions League campaign between 2004-05 and 2008-09
From Luis Garcia’s infamous ghost goal in the 2005 semi-finals to the 7-5 aggregate thriller in the 2009 quarters, no clubs hated each other more than Liverpool and Chelsea during those days.
And Mascherano was right at the heart of it between 2007 and 2010 following his move from West Ham.
According to The Athletic, the former Barcelona star even learned the words to a Liverpool fan chant such was his desire to wind-up ex-Blues skipper Terry.
In 2017, JT recalled he found travelling to Anfield a ‘nightmare’ thanks to the intimidating atmosphere.
Terry revealed: “Going to Anfield was horrible.
“The atmosphere: you would drive from the hotel, a 30-minute bus ride and they were all on the streets, winding you up, throwing stuff at the bus.
“It was a nightmare. It was the worst and the best ground to go to. You didn’t fear going there.
“You look forward to going there, you look forward to the big games and big nights.
“The Champions League game in 2005 is probably the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in.”
Mascherano ultimately left Liverpool on bad terms with club bosses, admitting he had to REFUSE to play in order to force through his move to Barcelona.
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He claimed: “There was an agreement between us that if Liverpool received a decent offer for me, I’d be permitted to leave.
“We’d spoken about extending my contract, but it seemed like the directors didn’t care about me.
“We had a meeting with the managing director, Christian Purslow, who told me I could go if a good offer came in.
“Then there was an offer on the table, but Liverpool were looking the other way.
“I was quite angry that they weren’t keeping their word.”
Mascherano continued by saying sitting out a huge clash with Manchester City was his way to make his feelings clear.
The Argentine continued: “Refusing to play at City was the way I found to show my annoyance.
“I’d told the club I wanted to leave for family reasons, so I was very upset to have to act the way I did.
“There was no other option – otherwise, Liverpool wouldn’t keep their promise.”
