Javier Mascherano is on a collision course with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.
The Argentine midfielder still harbours resentment over Benitez’s refusal to sell him to Barcelona in the summer and Liverpool’s subsequent refusal to hand him a pay rise that would bring him into line with the club’s top earners.
Benitez did claim in August there was a willingness at Anfield to offer Mascherano a new deal to ease his disappointment at missing out on a dream move to Barca.
But Mascherano has not come close to the form that made him one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers last season.
And there is a reluctance from the club to enter into negotiations about a new contract until the 25-year-old starts hitting the heights once more. The lack of progress has simply deepened Mascherano’s sense of frustration – and Juventus have now joined Barcelona in monitoring his situation on Merseyside.
But an Anfield insider said: “There is a feeling that Mascherano had his head turned by reports of Barcelona’s interest in the summer and that his form has been affected.
“Until his attitude changes there will be no talks about a new contract.”
There was never any prospect of Liverpool selling the Argentine hustler once Benitez allowed Xabi Alonso (right) to join Real Madrid in a £32million deal.
Mascherano feels his status as one of the club’s top earners should be rewarded with an improvement on his current £60,000-a-week wages.
With Alonso departed, Benitez has been relying on Mascherano to exert his influence even more.
With £20m new-boy Alberto Aquilani still to make his debut following his arrival from Roma – the Italian is expected to play against –Sunderland next week – the Liverpool boss has been forced to rely on Mascherano and young Brazilian Lucas Leiva.
But three defeats in eight Premier League games have already made it difficult to bring an end to a title drought now in its 20th year.
There was more frustration with Mascherano when his initial mistake led to Nicolas Anelka scoring Chelsea’s first goal in their 2-0 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge last week.
The Argentine midfielder still harbours resentment over Benitez’s refusal to sell him to Barcelona in the summer and Liverpool’s subsequent refusal to hand him a pay rise that would bring him into line with the club’s top earners.
Benitez did claim in August there was a willingness at Anfield to offer Mascherano a new deal to ease his disappointment at missing out on a dream move to Barca.
But Mascherano has not come close to the form that made him one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers last season.
And there is a reluctance from the club to enter into negotiations about a new contract until the 25-year-old starts hitting the heights once more. The lack of progress has simply deepened Mascherano’s sense of frustration – and Juventus have now joined Barcelona in monitoring his situation on Merseyside.
But an Anfield insider said: “There is a feeling that Mascherano had his head turned by reports of Barcelona’s interest in the summer and that his form has been affected.
“Until his attitude changes there will be no talks about a new contract.”
There was never any prospect of Liverpool selling the Argentine hustler once Benitez allowed Xabi Alonso (right) to join Real Madrid in a £32million deal.
Mascherano feels his status as one of the club’s top earners should be rewarded with an improvement on his current £60,000-a-week wages.
With Alonso departed, Benitez has been relying on Mascherano to exert his influence even more.
With £20m new-boy Alberto Aquilani still to make his debut following his arrival from Roma – the Italian is expected to play against –Sunderland next week – the Liverpool boss has been forced to rely on Mascherano and young Brazilian Lucas Leiva.
But three defeats in eight Premier League games have already made it difficult to bring an end to a title drought now in its 20th year.
There was more frustration with Mascherano when his initial mistake led to Nicolas Anelka scoring Chelsea’s first goal in their 2-0 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge last week.
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