RAFAEL BENITEZ has delivered a dressing down to Javier Mascherano after the Argentine seemingly cast doubt over his long-term Liverpool future.

And the Anfield manager has warned potential suitors they are wasting their time attempting to lure key squad members away from the club.

Mascherano caused a stir last week when he admitted that while happy at Liverpool, he was unsure he would be playing there next season.

With the Anfield outfit still challenging for the Premier League title, the comments – which were made in a television interview – were met with astonishment by club insiders and the player was asked by Benitez to explain himself.

And although Benitez believes the talks were “positive”, the Spaniard accepts there is no guarantee Mascherano will be at Liverpool in future years.

“I didn’t know about his comments so I talked to him about them and he was clear that he is happy here,” said the Anfield manager.

“You can’t stop clubs talking with his agent because he is a good player, and there aren’t too many holding midfielders of his calibre.

“When you have four or five top clubs asking about you, you don’t want to say no because you know in football that everything can change.

“So from a player’s point of view, and especially from the agent’s, they try to keep the doors open for everyone.

“But does he want to leave? I don’t think so. He knows the best option for him at this moment is this club. In three years time you never know, but now he knows this is the best option.”

Barcelona and Real Madrid are among a clutch of teams rumoured to be interested in Mascherano, who has prove a huge success since arriving at Anfield from West Ham United in January 2007.

Xabi Alonso is being courted by Juventus and Real Madrid but Benitez has no intention of letting go of his most prized assets.

“We want to keep all our key players here, so it is the same story with Xabi,” added the Spaniard.

Liverpool are likely to be without Alonso for tomorrow evening’s trip to West Ham after suffering an ankle injury in the red-card challenge by Newcastle United’s Joey Barton on Sunday.

However, Mascherano – who twisted his ankle late on at the weekend – should be available while Fernando Torres has recovered from a hamstring problem.

Meanwhile, David Ngog is hoping for a chance to prove his worth by helping Liverpool reclaim top spot tomorrow.

Victory would put Benitez’s side back ahead of Manchester United on goal difference, with their North West rivals entertaining neighbours Manchester City the following day.

And Ngog, who is likely to be on the bench at Upton Park, said: “If I can help the team in any way then I will be very happy.

“We have some big games coming up and I have to work hard to be involved in them.

“At this stage of the season the manager needs everyone so we have to be ready.

“Whenever I have played I have really enjoyed it and to now have two goals for the first team gives me more confidence for the rest of the season.

“It is really good to be involved because the team is playing so well and I will always try to do my best for the team and for the club.

“If the manager gives me time to play, either from the start or as a substitute then I will give everything.”

Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark wants Liverpool youngster Martin Kelly to return to the Galpharm Stadium on a season-long loan next term.

Kelly, a 19-year-old who made his debut in the Champions League win at PSV Eindhoven in December, impressed while at the Galpharm Stadium for the final five weeks of the Coca-Cola League One campaign.