If Albert Riera is to believed, Rafael Benitez's Liverpool ship is sinking, and there will be a mad rush at the end of the season as players seek to abandon it.
Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have, predictably, been linked with mega-money moves away from Anfield, but perhaps the most drawn-out saga has surrounded Javier Mascherano, whose protracted switch to Barcelona has dominated the gossip columns since the middle of last season.
It is a story which looks set to come to an end soon, however. Benitez revealed this week that the Argentine midfielder is close to signing a new, long-term contract which would keep him at Anfield until 2014. The Spaniard described Mascherano as "a player every manager would like to have in their team", praising his "commitment, desire and passion".
And while news of Mascherano's commitment represents a rare positive for Liverpool supporters at a time when good news has been in short supply, it also represents a significant U-turn on the player's part, given that a move to Spain had seemed a certainty as recently as last summer.
Then, Mascherano's agent - Walter Tamer - spoke candidly about the prospect of his client joining Pep Guardiola's side, saying; "If a club like Barcelona want you after winning everything, obviously a player will say he wants to play there.
"It would make Javier proud to play for them after they've had such an incredible year.
"I believe a transfer can be done. I've spoken to [Barcelona technical director] Txiki Beguiristain about this, although we've not been in contact for some time."
And at the time, the constant speculation about his future seemed to unsettle Mascherano. His performances at the start of the season were sluggish and lacking their usual dynamism. Observers reasoned that the Argentinean's head, already loaded with worry at his country's faltering World Cup qualification campaign, had been turned by Barcelona's advances.
But now, with a new contract in the offing, what has changed?
Tommy Smith, who made over 500 appearances for the Reds in the 1960s and '70s, believes Mascherano's new contract is a sign of his dedication to the Liverpool cause.
"I'm delighted Mascherano is close to committing his future," he told The Liverpool Echo, "He is passionate, driven and talented. He clearly feels hurt by any set-back - and he does his talking on the pitch."
Yet while Smith's sentiments are hard to argue with - Mascherano has excelled since serving a four-game ban at the turn of the year, even filling in at right-back with distinction - there is a feeling that there may be more complex motives behind his apparent change of heart.
Ashish Sharma, Goal.com's Spain correspondent, believes that Mascherano has been left with little choice but to commit his future to Liverpool. Barcelona's presidential elections are set to take place this summer, and Sharma does not believe that Mascherano will be top of most candidates' shopping lists, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas and David Villa more likely targets for the Blaugrana.
"There is nothing in Spain being said about Mascherano at the moment," he said, "The thing with Barca is that they have presidential elections coming up, so it is nigh-on impossible to know which players the candidates will use for their campaign - but without a doubt it won't be a holding midfielder.
"It will all be about a David Villa, a Franck Ribery, a Cesc Fabregas or a Wayne Rooney. They are the kind of players Barca will talk about first - exciting players that will get you elected basically. If Barcelona sign one of those, there will be little budget left for someone like Mascherano."
Tim Stannard, Spanish correspondent for FourFourTwo magazine, agrees. "I don't think Mascherano will be moving to Spain any time soon, neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid have an urgent need for him. Barcelona are well stocked with Yaya Toure and Sergio Busquets, whilst Real have a glut of midfielders
"The three players those clubs will be squabbling over this summer will be Ribery, Fabregas and David Silva."
And with Mascherano himself having dismissed a switch to one side who might be able to afford him - Manchester City - the options open to the 25-year-old appear limited.
Argentine football journalist Marcelo Gantman believes Mascherano is still keen on a move to Barcelona, where he would follow in the footsteps of national team manager Diego Maradona, but says that the midfielder is waiting for a sizeable offer before leaving, and doubts whether one will be forthcoming - this summer at least.
"Mascherano is waiting for a big offer from Barcelona, I'm sure," he said, "Txiki Beguiristain wants him at Barca, there is no doubt about that. It might not be this summer, because of the elections, but the vision is for Mascherano to play at the Nou Camp."
Despite this, Sharma believes that Mascherano would be better served staying in the Premier League, which offers a style of play tailor-made to his battling qualities and passionate approach. His national team coach Maradona knows all about the perils of a switch to Catalonia, having suffered a miserable spell there in the 1980s.
"Is a move to Spain the best thing for his career? No, without a doubt, no!" says Sharma, "La Liga lacks the depth of the Premier League. Yes it's more technical, but Mascherano's game is chase and harry and win the ball, so going to Spain won't improve him as a player."
For Liverpool, Barcelona's perceived lack of interest is most welcome. After seeing Xabi Alonso whisked away by the Real Madrid revolution last summer, the last thing Benitez would have wanted was constant speculation about another of his prized assets. Whatever Mascherano's motives, the fact that Liverpool have secured his long term future is excellent news for the club.
And with Pepe Reina, surely the Reds' player of the season, also set to sign a new deal in the next few weeks, there could be more good news in store for the beleaguered Benitez. And he hasn't been able to say that too many times this season.
Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have, predictably, been linked with mega-money moves away from Anfield, but perhaps the most drawn-out saga has surrounded Javier Mascherano, whose protracted switch to Barcelona has dominated the gossip columns since the middle of last season.
It is a story which looks set to come to an end soon, however. Benitez revealed this week that the Argentine midfielder is close to signing a new, long-term contract which would keep him at Anfield until 2014. The Spaniard described Mascherano as "a player every manager would like to have in their team", praising his "commitment, desire and passion".
And while news of Mascherano's commitment represents a rare positive for Liverpool supporters at a time when good news has been in short supply, it also represents a significant U-turn on the player's part, given that a move to Spain had seemed a certainty as recently as last summer.
Then, Mascherano's agent - Walter Tamer - spoke candidly about the prospect of his client joining Pep Guardiola's side, saying; "If a club like Barcelona want you after winning everything, obviously a player will say he wants to play there.
"It would make Javier proud to play for them after they've had such an incredible year.
"I believe a transfer can be done. I've spoken to [Barcelona technical director] Txiki Beguiristain about this, although we've not been in contact for some time."
And at the time, the constant speculation about his future seemed to unsettle Mascherano. His performances at the start of the season were sluggish and lacking their usual dynamism. Observers reasoned that the Argentinean's head, already loaded with worry at his country's faltering World Cup qualification campaign, had been turned by Barcelona's advances.
But now, with a new contract in the offing, what has changed?
Tommy Smith, who made over 500 appearances for the Reds in the 1960s and '70s, believes Mascherano's new contract is a sign of his dedication to the Liverpool cause.
"I'm delighted Mascherano is close to committing his future," he told The Liverpool Echo, "He is passionate, driven and talented. He clearly feels hurt by any set-back - and he does his talking on the pitch."
Yet while Smith's sentiments are hard to argue with - Mascherano has excelled since serving a four-game ban at the turn of the year, even filling in at right-back with distinction - there is a feeling that there may be more complex motives behind his apparent change of heart.
Ashish Sharma, Goal.com's Spain correspondent, believes that Mascherano has been left with little choice but to commit his future to Liverpool. Barcelona's presidential elections are set to take place this summer, and Sharma does not believe that Mascherano will be top of most candidates' shopping lists, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas and David Villa more likely targets for the Blaugrana.
"There is nothing in Spain being said about Mascherano at the moment," he said, "The thing with Barca is that they have presidential elections coming up, so it is nigh-on impossible to know which players the candidates will use for their campaign - but without a doubt it won't be a holding midfielder.
"It will all be about a David Villa, a Franck Ribery, a Cesc Fabregas or a Wayne Rooney. They are the kind of players Barca will talk about first - exciting players that will get you elected basically. If Barcelona sign one of those, there will be little budget left for someone like Mascherano."
Tim Stannard, Spanish correspondent for FourFourTwo magazine, agrees. "I don't think Mascherano will be moving to Spain any time soon, neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid have an urgent need for him. Barcelona are well stocked with Yaya Toure and Sergio Busquets, whilst Real have a glut of midfielders
"The three players those clubs will be squabbling over this summer will be Ribery, Fabregas and David Silva."
And with Mascherano himself having dismissed a switch to one side who might be able to afford him - Manchester City - the options open to the 25-year-old appear limited.
Argentine football journalist Marcelo Gantman believes Mascherano is still keen on a move to Barcelona, where he would follow in the footsteps of national team manager Diego Maradona, but says that the midfielder is waiting for a sizeable offer before leaving, and doubts whether one will be forthcoming - this summer at least.
"Mascherano is waiting for a big offer from Barcelona, I'm sure," he said, "Txiki Beguiristain wants him at Barca, there is no doubt about that. It might not be this summer, because of the elections, but the vision is for Mascherano to play at the Nou Camp."
Despite this, Sharma believes that Mascherano would be better served staying in the Premier League, which offers a style of play tailor-made to his battling qualities and passionate approach. His national team coach Maradona knows all about the perils of a switch to Catalonia, having suffered a miserable spell there in the 1980s.
"Is a move to Spain the best thing for his career? No, without a doubt, no!" says Sharma, "La Liga lacks the depth of the Premier League. Yes it's more technical, but Mascherano's game is chase and harry and win the ball, so going to Spain won't improve him as a player."
For Liverpool, Barcelona's perceived lack of interest is most welcome. After seeing Xabi Alonso whisked away by the Real Madrid revolution last summer, the last thing Benitez would have wanted was constant speculation about another of his prized assets. Whatever Mascherano's motives, the fact that Liverpool have secured his long term future is excellent news for the club.
And with Pepe Reina, surely the Reds' player of the season, also set to sign a new deal in the next few weeks, there could be more good news in store for the beleaguered Benitez. And he hasn't been able to say that too many times this season.
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