Javier Mascherano expects his permanent transfer to Liverpool to be completed this week.
The Argentina midfielder is registered as a Reds player on a long-term loan from owners MSI, so the deal did not need to be completed before the transfer deadline last Thursday.
However, the 23-year-old, who claims his relationship with the Anfield fans has been a major factor in his decision to stay on Merseyside, hopes the €25m transfer to go through shortly.
'It's not finished yet but I am hoping to stay here,' he told www.liverpoolfctv.co.uk.
'I have a lot of confidence that after the next week I will be able to say 'everything is right and I am staying here in Liverpool'.
'We now need to wait. We are very close but we need to talk again. I think everything will be okay. I've waited a long time, so I can wait one week more.
'The fans like me and I love the fans. They are great and that's the reason I want to stay here.'
Liverpool are believed to have verbally agreed a four-year contract with Mascherano, with the fee being paid to the player's owners in instalments.
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