Rafa Benitez keen to keep Javier Mascherano at home

May 29 2008 by Tony Barrett

RAFA BENITEZ is to hold talks with Javier Mascherano in a bid to solve Liverpool’s Olympic problem.

Mascherano is expected to be included as an over-age player in Argentina’s squad for the forthcoming Olympic Games in Beijing which run from August 8-24.

Should the 23-year-old take up his place in the national team squad it will leave Benitez short of midfield cover at the start of the Premiership season as Lucas is also likely to be selected for the tournament by Brazil.

Reserve team winger Sebastian Leto could also be called up by Argentina having been involved in a recent under-23s warm-up game in Spain.

But given Mascherano’s importance to his team, the Reds boss is loathe to lose him at the onset of a new season, though he knows he is powerless to stop his player from taking part in the Olympics should he choose to do so.

He said: “This is a very difficult situation for us because we have Lucas who is eligible through his age with Brazil and Mascherano who can play for Argentina as an over-age player so I need to discuss his position with him.

“We will see what happens. We have some time so we need to wait and we will try to find a solution with Mascherano that will be the best for the club and the best for the player.

“With Lucas and Leto we will accept the situation.

“It is a difficult situation because if the countries want the best players to take part they have to go to the professional clubs. But from our point of view, we have to manage the situation as well as we can.”

Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso has not given up on his Liverpool career despite his agent holding talks with Juventus who are keen to take the Reds midfielder to Italy.

Representatives of the Serie A giants have already met with Benitez but no fee has been agreed.

But Alonso’s agent, Inaki Ibanez, is now convinced that Liverpool are ready to sell at the right price and has held preliminary talks with Juventus officials to find out what they are willing to offer his player.

He said: “I have a clear idea, namely Liverpool would like to sell. But first we must speak with Rafa Benitez.

“We’ll decide after the European Championships.”

Alonso is settled in Liverpool with his wife and baby son and will only look to leave if it becomes clear that he has no future at the club.