Liverpool's Argentina captain Javier Mascherano has admitted that his international commitments are taking a toll on him.
The combative midfielder thinks that his workload has been too heavy - and the constant globetrotting has left him tired.
Mascherano has made a bad start on his return to England since featuring for Argentina in their final World Cup qualification matches. Last Sunday, he was sent off in the 2-0 win over Manchester United at Anfield, causing him to be suspended for this weekend's match at Fulham.
The former West Ham star revealed that he has felt below par since returning to Merseyside but reassured Liverpool fans that his Argentina commitments are not his priority.
He added that he will forget about the World Cup until the domestic season is over. Argentina suffered a stressful World Cup qualifying campaign before eventually booking their place in the 2010 finals.
Mascherano, who has 50 caps for his country, played in the vital final qualifiers earlier this month. Diego Maradona's side eventually sealed their World Cup spot on October 15 with a 1-0 win in Uruguay.
Mascherano played in a holding role alongside ex-Manchester United man Juan Sebastian Veron and Newcastle's Jonas Gutierrez. Surprisingly, Manchester City's Carlos Tevez was left out but Argentina got the result that caused celebration - but left 25-year-old Mascherano feeling drained in the aftermath.
'I spent 20 hours on a plane coming back from South America,' complained the Liverpool midfielder.
'When I got here, all of us who had been away with our countries wanted to play and we all wanted to win. But, in that situation, it's tough. That's not an excuse. It's the reality.
'After a flight like that, you are never 100 per cent. You cannot be. It takes time to recover so all you can do is give your best.
'With so many games for club and country, I've been too busy. When our season here is finished then I will think about the World Cup. It was important to qualify. But Liverpool is just as important for me. This is my club and I live here. This is my priority.'
In the last World Cup in 2006, Mascherano earned rave reviews, playing every minute for Argentina before they were knocked out by Germany in the quarter-finals.
Maradona, shortly after being appointed, made Mascherano the national captain a year ago.
The Liverpool star also dismissed speculation that his poor form was down to not being granted a summer switch to European champions Barcelona.
He said: 'Everyone knows Barcelona were interested in me but that's in the past now.
Liverpool said no and that's the end of it. Some might say I haven't been playing well because Barcelona tried to buy me.
'I agree I haven't been at my best but it's not because of that. I just haven't started the season well.'
The combative midfielder thinks that his workload has been too heavy - and the constant globetrotting has left him tired.
Mascherano has made a bad start on his return to England since featuring for Argentina in their final World Cup qualification matches. Last Sunday, he was sent off in the 2-0 win over Manchester United at Anfield, causing him to be suspended for this weekend's match at Fulham.
The former West Ham star revealed that he has felt below par since returning to Merseyside but reassured Liverpool fans that his Argentina commitments are not his priority.
He added that he will forget about the World Cup until the domestic season is over. Argentina suffered a stressful World Cup qualifying campaign before eventually booking their place in the 2010 finals.
Mascherano, who has 50 caps for his country, played in the vital final qualifiers earlier this month. Diego Maradona's side eventually sealed their World Cup spot on October 15 with a 1-0 win in Uruguay.
Mascherano played in a holding role alongside ex-Manchester United man Juan Sebastian Veron and Newcastle's Jonas Gutierrez. Surprisingly, Manchester City's Carlos Tevez was left out but Argentina got the result that caused celebration - but left 25-year-old Mascherano feeling drained in the aftermath.
'I spent 20 hours on a plane coming back from South America,' complained the Liverpool midfielder.
'When I got here, all of us who had been away with our countries wanted to play and we all wanted to win. But, in that situation, it's tough. That's not an excuse. It's the reality.
'After a flight like that, you are never 100 per cent. You cannot be. It takes time to recover so all you can do is give your best.
'With so many games for club and country, I've been too busy. When our season here is finished then I will think about the World Cup. It was important to qualify. But Liverpool is just as important for me. This is my club and I live here. This is my priority.'
In the last World Cup in 2006, Mascherano earned rave reviews, playing every minute for Argentina before they were knocked out by Germany in the quarter-finals.
Maradona, shortly after being appointed, made Mascherano the national captain a year ago.
The Liverpool star also dismissed speculation that his poor form was down to not being granted a summer switch to European champions Barcelona.
He said: 'Everyone knows Barcelona were interested in me but that's in the past now.
Liverpool said no and that's the end of it. Some might say I haven't been playing well because Barcelona tried to buy me.
'I agree I haven't been at my best but it's not because of that. I just haven't started the season well.'
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