Javier Mascherano's contract negotiations with Liverpool have been delayed until after he returns from the World Cup, according to a report from Press Association.
The Argentinian midfielder has been in talks with the club for three months over a new deal, with progress believed to have been encouraging. But with the club having released players for the summer and Mascherano scheduled to join the Albicelestes' World Cup preparations, the club have been forced to suspend further negotiations until after he returns from the tournament in South Africa.
Last summer Mascherano was heavily linked with a move to Spanish side Barcelona, with the enforcer seemingly receptive to the rumours. But after re-affirming his commitment to the club this season Liverpool were hopeful that he would follow in the footsteps of goalkeeper Jose Reina — who signed a new six-year deal at Anfield last month — and secure his long-term future at the club. Now they are set for an anxious wait for Mascherano to return to the bargaining table ahead of next season.
The news will be another blow to manager Rafael Benitez, who is already concerned that his squad will struggle at the beginning of next season. Liverpool's seventh place finish in the Premier League means they will be entered in the third qualifying round of the Europa League next season, which kicks off at the end of July — just 18 days of the World Cup final, which might involve one or more Reds players.
"We have to prepare. We have pre-season more or less organised and we now have to analyse carefully the schedule and see if we can organise the fixtures properly," Benitez said.
"Last year we had too many players away with the Confederations Cup (also in South Africa) so the teams are suffering with these tournaments and every year it is more and more so it is not easy."
The Argentinian midfielder has been in talks with the club for three months over a new deal, with progress believed to have been encouraging. But with the club having released players for the summer and Mascherano scheduled to join the Albicelestes' World Cup preparations, the club have been forced to suspend further negotiations until after he returns from the tournament in South Africa.
Last summer Mascherano was heavily linked with a move to Spanish side Barcelona, with the enforcer seemingly receptive to the rumours. But after re-affirming his commitment to the club this season Liverpool were hopeful that he would follow in the footsteps of goalkeeper Jose Reina — who signed a new six-year deal at Anfield last month — and secure his long-term future at the club. Now they are set for an anxious wait for Mascherano to return to the bargaining table ahead of next season.
The news will be another blow to manager Rafael Benitez, who is already concerned that his squad will struggle at the beginning of next season. Liverpool's seventh place finish in the Premier League means they will be entered in the third qualifying round of the Europa League next season, which kicks off at the end of July — just 18 days of the World Cup final, which might involve one or more Reds players.
"We have to prepare. We have pre-season more or less organised and we now have to analyse carefully the schedule and see if we can organise the fixtures properly," Benitez said.
"Last year we had too many players away with the Confederations Cup (also in South Africa) so the teams are suffering with these tournaments and every year it is more and more so it is not easy."
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