Rafa Benitez has insisted Javier Mascherano is not thinking of quitting Anfield despite the midfielder’s surprise admission that he will be considering his future this summer.
The Reds boss also revealed that his midfield general has already rejected overtures from at least one leading club who are looking to prise him away from Anfield.
Mascherano has almost three years remaining on the four year deal he signed in February 2008 and is considered a key member of Benitez’s squad.
But in a television interview aired yesterday the 24-year-old refused to rule out the possibility that he could leave Liverpool in the next transfer window, saying “you never know what is going to happen”.
His manager believes Mascherano’s comments do not show any desire to look for a move and having spoken to the Argentinian midfielder at Melwood yesterday insists he is happy at Anfield.
“I will say two things about this,” said Benitez.
“The first is that he is happy here. He is very happy with the fans, with the club, with the manager and with the city.
“So the conversation that we had was very positive in this respect.
“The second is that he has already said no to some clubs, including a top side, so this clearly shows that he would like to stay.
“But he cannot stop big clubs asking for him because he is a top class player.
“It can be difficult for players to explain these kind of situations because it is normal that you would be proud if clubs are interested in signing you.
“But I think that Mascherano was just trying to be polite in the interview because I have had a conversation with him and he was very clear that he wants to play for us and I do not see a big problem.”
The Reds boss also revealed that his midfield general has already rejected overtures from at least one leading club who are looking to prise him away from Anfield.
Mascherano has almost three years remaining on the four year deal he signed in February 2008 and is considered a key member of Benitez’s squad.
But in a television interview aired yesterday the 24-year-old refused to rule out the possibility that he could leave Liverpool in the next transfer window, saying “you never know what is going to happen”.
His manager believes Mascherano’s comments do not show any desire to look for a move and having spoken to the Argentinian midfielder at Melwood yesterday insists he is happy at Anfield.
“I will say two things about this,” said Benitez.
“The first is that he is happy here. He is very happy with the fans, with the club, with the manager and with the city.
“So the conversation that we had was very positive in this respect.
“The second is that he has already said no to some clubs, including a top side, so this clearly shows that he would like to stay.
“But he cannot stop big clubs asking for him because he is a top class player.
“It can be difficult for players to explain these kind of situations because it is normal that you would be proud if clubs are interested in signing you.
“But I think that Mascherano was just trying to be polite in the interview because I have had a conversation with him and he was very clear that he wants to play for us and I do not see a big problem.”
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