Fifa have given Liverpool permission to sign Mascherano

The midfielder is awaiting clearance from the Premier League before his move from West Ham can be finalised.

The 22-year-old made only seven appearances for the Hammers and said: "I want to prove to myself that I can play here in England.

"I want to gain the respect of the Liverpool players and win a place in the team on merit."

Mascherano arrived at West Ham from Corinthians on transfer deadline day last August.

But his experience at the Premiership strugglers has not put him off English football and instead it has made him more determined to try to make his mark on the game.

He added: "I've not been a on the pitch enough yet to know if I can. Now, there is a chance to play in a top team and fight for a place in the team with great players like Steven Gerrard or Xabi Alonso.

"It's a fantastic challenge."

Despite his unhappy time at Upton Park, however, Mascherano insists he has no bad feelings towards the club that brought him to England.

He said: "I have no rancour. Fans and people in general treated me very well. It is obvious that I was not a player for that club.

"West Ham can live without me and I can live without West Ham."