The Premier League have again delayed a decision on Javier Mascherano's loan move to Liverpool.

The Argentina midfielder's move from West Ham was completed ahead of Wednesday's transfer deadline, with all the documentation and his registration logged with the football authorities.

But the League's board wanted to study the terms of the move, Mascherano's contract and full ownership, before allowing him to commence his Anfield career.

And those investigations are still ongoing, despite Fifa having given Liverpool permission to sign the player, making them his third club in a 12-month spell, a situation normally not permitted under their rules.

A Premier League spokesman said: "The board have met over the last two days to discuss the move, and now there will be no further progress until after the weekend."