Since Rafa Benitez's outburst against Sir Alex Ferguson on January 9 - a tirade that appears with every match even more impertinent - The Reds have proceeded to drop points against Stoke, Everton and Wigan, and in so doing relinquishing leadership of the league and handing back the initiative to bitter rivals United.
Without a league title since 1990, The Reds were mounting a challenge as convincing as any they have mustered in the intervening years.
Fearful that Liverpool are in danger of throwing away all their earlier good work, Mascherano is adamant that The Reds cannot afford to extend their winless run in the league to four matches when they take on Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.
Mascherano told setanta.com: "The players are very angry about the draws against Everton and Wigan.
