Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez wants Javier Mascherano to start finding the net more often after his deflected effort at Everton.
That strike is set to go before the dubious goals panel to determine if it can be credited to the midfielder.
Benitez is giving the goal to Mascherano though and now wants to see more from the holding midfielder.
"Since the first day when we signed Javier we've talked about goals because he's not bad at shooting from outside the box," the manager told the Reds' official website.
"He can do well on this, so he has to keep trying. If he does, he'll score more goals.
"He tries in training. He doesn't score too many when you compare it to Gerrard but still it's a good and a different option for us.
"For everyone, if you're at the edge of the box you have to try. It doesn't matter what position you play - if you're a centre-back or left-back or midfielder, you must try.
"The main thing is to try. You might get a deflection. For me, Mascherano's goal [against Everton] was a deflection, not an own goal."
Benitez also revealed that Mascherano would not be travelling with the Argentina squad for their unofficial friendly with Catalunya later this month.
"It's a friendly game that comes during Christmas time, and we have a game on the 26th and 28th. It's too much for us, so the best thing for us is if he doesn't go and doesn't play," the Spaniard added.
"He is coming back to the level we know. He had some problems at the beginning of the season but he's now playing really well.
"We're really pleased because we have the Mascherano we signed."
That strike is set to go before the dubious goals panel to determine if it can be credited to the midfielder.
Benitez is giving the goal to Mascherano though and now wants to see more from the holding midfielder.
"Since the first day when we signed Javier we've talked about goals because he's not bad at shooting from outside the box," the manager told the Reds' official website.
"He can do well on this, so he has to keep trying. If he does, he'll score more goals.
"He tries in training. He doesn't score too many when you compare it to Gerrard but still it's a good and a different option for us.
"For everyone, if you're at the edge of the box you have to try. It doesn't matter what position you play - if you're a centre-back or left-back or midfielder, you must try.
"The main thing is to try. You might get a deflection. For me, Mascherano's goal [against Everton] was a deflection, not an own goal."
Benitez also revealed that Mascherano would not be travelling with the Argentina squad for their unofficial friendly with Catalunya later this month.
"It's a friendly game that comes during Christmas time, and we have a game on the 26th and 28th. It's too much for us, so the best thing for us is if he doesn't go and doesn't play," the Spaniard added.
"He is coming back to the level we know. He had some problems at the beginning of the season but he's now playing really well.
"We're really pleased because we have the Mascherano we signed."
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