• Barcelona midfielder 'sad that people must leave by back door' • 'Liverpool didn't show interest in keeping us at the club'

The Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has criticised his former club Liverpool for their handling of his departure last summer and the exit of the striker Fernando Torres on Monday.

The Argentina international described as "sad" the manner in which players had to leave a club they had served well. Following Torres's £50m transfer to Chelsea on deadline day the Spaniard has been castigated by Liverpool fans for comments suggesting he is much better off at Stamford Bridge than he was at Anfield.

"I was not surprised about what happened with Fernando," Mascherano is quoted on espn.co.uk as saying today.

"When I left Liverpool, it looked as if I killed someone. It is sad that the people who did something important with the club have to leave by the back door.

"It is sad that the press and the club try to convince people that it is all the player's fault when the reality is that Liverpool didn't show the interest in keeping us in the club.

"The most important players didn't leave the club well. I spoke with Fernando and I said to him that he doesn't have to be worried because he did his best for the club.

"Even though he didn't win any trophies, he was a very important player and helped this club all the time."

Mascherano was offered a new contract by Rafael Benítez, the then Liverpool manager, last April but stalled on signing it. Four months later, after it became apparent he did not want to remain on Merseyside, he secured a £22m move to Barcelona.