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.