Anfield Online >> LFC News >> Benitez insists Mascha is his

Benitez insists Mascha is his

by Anfield Online
Last updated: Thursday, 6th December 2007 [21:17]

Media speculation recently has started mentioning Javier Mascherano, the reds on-loan player, with a move to some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

But Rafa Benitez, who watched the reserve game against Everton with Liverpool’s American director Foster Gillett this week, insists that Liverpool will be very keen on Javier to stay at Anfield.

Benitez said:

“Clearly, I hope Mascherano stays here. We are talking now about this but I have confidence because he tells me he wants to stay.

“I am confident he can be persuaded to stay here. When I spoke to Javier, he told me he wants that, so I have confidence that we will sign him.

“He is playing well and everyone knows he is a good player and there are not too many world-class holding midfielders around.

“He wants to stay, our supporters like him and we will try to keep him.”

Javier Mascherano is believed to have been one of the issues with which Benitez fell out with the Liverpool Chairmen, but his latest comments suggest that the ball has started rolling on ensuring that Liverpool take full advantage of their first option on the player before his loan deal ends in July 2008.

2 Responses

1 | Terrone

December 7th, 2007 at [20:08]

They need to pull out all the stops to make sure Mascherano stays!
If Rafa only makes one signing in the summer it needs to be Masch, no question. I would sooner see us sell Alonso and Sissoko than let him slip through our fingers!

2 | kieren mcmahon

December 12th, 2007 at [11:44]

we have a great player in mascherano a talent that we cannot aford to lose to anyone with his biting tackles and ideal cover to release stevie gerrard to go forward, this is a player of star quality who relishes the bsttle of the oposition and the will to win . so messsers hicks and gillette dont delay on this deal and sign this truly great player