Reds Pursue Permanent Moves For Mascherano And Garay

January could be a busy month for Rafael Benitez, as the Liverpool manager attempts to secure the long-term services of Javier Mascherano and Racing Santander’s Ezequiel Garay.

Argentine Mascherano is currently entering his eleven month of a loan deal at Liverpool and his consistent performances in midfield have quickly gained him an army of admires on Merseyside.

Benitez is reported to be keen on making the ball-winner a permanent squad member in January rather than wait till the summer.

To this end, it is rumoured that the Spaniard has made a major breakthrough in his negotiations with MSI, the company that own Mascherano’s playing rights.

MSI, who also control Carlos Tevez's involvement with Manchester United, initially wanted a reported £17 million fee for the Argentinean international.

However, it is believed Liverpool have agreed for that £17 million fee to include the player’s wages over a five-year spell – beating off interest from Barcelona.

Clearly the confirmation of the player’s stay would please his team-mates, as goalkeeper Jose Reina stated: “It is quite important because Mascherano has been one of our best players so far.

“It was a loan, a clever loan, and we have to take the next step which is to get him for a few years.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool have been boosted in their pursuit of 21-year-old centre back Garay after he revealed he would love to play in England.

Benitez has been in the market for a young, capable defender who can operate at fullback as comfortably as in the centre, since losing out on Gabriel Heinze.

Garay was named in La Liga’s team of the season last year, and he currently has a £14.2 million buy-out clause at Racing Santander.

“To play in England is a dream,” he was quoted as saying in The News of the World.

“My head is in Racing but I would like to progress.”

But Liverpool may face stiff competition for the highly-rated stopper as Manchester United are also thought to be monitoring the defender.

Torres Set For LiverpooL Start

Fernando Torres looks set to make a return to the Liverpool starting line-up to face Newcastle at the weekend.

Liverpool's record signing has not started a game since breaking down in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the end of October, after picking up an abductor muscle injury with Spain.

Torres has remained in Liverpool over the international break to work on his fitness while the rest of Rafa Benitez's strikers have been away with their national sides.

Therefore, the Liverpool Echo claims that Torres is in pole position to make the starting line-up at St James' Park.

Harry Kewell is also in the running for a place in the Liverpool side after coming through 90 minutes of Australia's friendly with Nigeria on Saturday.

Benitez told the Echo: "It was good to see Harry get 90 minutes. I was talking with him and he said it wasn't a high tempo game so he was able to get through it.

"Physically he probably still needs to improve his pace and stamina but he is getting there.

"When you talk about Harry then you talk about a player of quality and ability who can make a big difference to our team. He can give different things to us, especially against teams who play deep and compact."

Liverpool’s Benitez Upbeat As Torres & Kewell Make Good Use Of International Break

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is upbeat as the international break has served to be timely for various reasons and has helped the likes of Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger, Yossi Benayoun and Harry Kewell.

Benitez is particularly happy that Kewell completed full 90 minutes with Australia in a friendly against Nigeria in London, which was the injury-troubled Reds winger’s first full match in more than a year.

The break came at the right time for Torres to recover fully from his thigh problem, and the Spain ace should be ready to start against Newcastle United at the weekend; but Daniel Agger and Yossi Benayoun may not be fully fit in time for the trip to St James’ Park.

Benitez said in the Liverpool Daily Post: “It was good to see Harry get 90 minutes. I was talking with him and he said it wasn't a high tempo game so he was able to get through it.

“Physically he probably still needs to improve his pace and stamina but he is getting there.

“When you talk about Harry then you talk about a player of quality and ability who can make a big difference to our team. He can give different things to us, especially against teams who play deep and compact.”