Olympic gold medallist Javier Mascherano will almost certainly be plunged into Liverpool's tough away Barclays Premier League game at Aston Villa on Sunday.
The match has added spice after the summer of disagreement between Villa boss Martin O'Neill and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez over the drawn-out saga of Gareth Barry's on-off move to Anfield.
And their confrontation will be the highlight of the afternoon at Villa Park under the eagle-eye of the TV cameras.
Benitez will go into the match without skipper Steven Gerrard, who has had an operation on a groin problem that will rule him out for a fortnight.
Therefore the game will miss out on a clash between Gerrard and Barry, with many thinking that by now the pair would be side by side in Liverpool's midfield.
The Villa man has been the subject of a summer-long transfer wrangle, only ended this week when the player opted to stay with Villa this season - although he was not prepared to discuss a new contract until the end of the campaign.
Mascherano's return from the Olympics, where he helped Argentina retain their crown, gives Benitez the obvious option to replace Gerrard in midfield.
Benitez said: "Mascherano is training well, Lucas likewise, so both of them will come into contention for the Aston Villa game. And we also have the young player, Damien Plessis.
"We have plenty of options now in the middle, but I have no problem considering Mascherano for the match after his trip to Beijing.
"Maybe having won a second gold medal he will be inspired to perform well for us.
"He has kept in contact with me during the Olympics and has been keen to know everything that has been going on at the club. Now he is back he is a welcomed addition to our playing strength."
Benitez will also expect another all-action display from Dirk Kuyt, who grabbed the late goal on Wednesday that made sure Liverpool reached the Champions League group stage.
Benitez said: "You must give credit to Dirk Kuyt. Sometimes he makes a mistake and people react, but he never lets it worry him.
"He goes again, he gives everything and he did just that for 120 minutes to make sure we qualified for the group stages.
"The key is that he never hides. He played on the right, on the left and then as a second striker with (Fernando) Torres.
"What he gives to the team is really important. You must judge over a full season - sometimes in one game it may not always be perfect.
"People call for more pace and special ability. But over a whole season he is always available, always ready and he is a fantastic professional."
The match has added spice after the summer of disagreement between Villa boss Martin O'Neill and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez over the drawn-out saga of Gareth Barry's on-off move to Anfield.
And their confrontation will be the highlight of the afternoon at Villa Park under the eagle-eye of the TV cameras.
Benitez will go into the match without skipper Steven Gerrard, who has had an operation on a groin problem that will rule him out for a fortnight.
Therefore the game will miss out on a clash between Gerrard and Barry, with many thinking that by now the pair would be side by side in Liverpool's midfield.
The Villa man has been the subject of a summer-long transfer wrangle, only ended this week when the player opted to stay with Villa this season - although he was not prepared to discuss a new contract until the end of the campaign.
Mascherano's return from the Olympics, where he helped Argentina retain their crown, gives Benitez the obvious option to replace Gerrard in midfield.
Benitez said: "Mascherano is training well, Lucas likewise, so both of them will come into contention for the Aston Villa game. And we also have the young player, Damien Plessis.
"We have plenty of options now in the middle, but I have no problem considering Mascherano for the match after his trip to Beijing.
"Maybe having won a second gold medal he will be inspired to perform well for us.
"He has kept in contact with me during the Olympics and has been keen to know everything that has been going on at the club. Now he is back he is a welcomed addition to our playing strength."
Benitez will also expect another all-action display from Dirk Kuyt, who grabbed the late goal on Wednesday that made sure Liverpool reached the Champions League group stage.
Benitez said: "You must give credit to Dirk Kuyt. Sometimes he makes a mistake and people react, but he never lets it worry him.
"He goes again, he gives everything and he did just that for 120 minutes to make sure we qualified for the group stages.
"The key is that he never hides. He played on the right, on the left and then as a second striker with (Fernando) Torres.
"What he gives to the team is really important. You must judge over a full season - sometimes in one game it may not always be perfect.
"People call for more pace and special ability. But over a whole season he is always available, always ready and he is a fantastic professional."
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