JAVIER MASCHERANO looks set to leave Anfield after he informed manager Roy Hodgson he wants to follow Rafael Benitez to Inter.

The Argentina skipper held showdown talks with Hodgson yesterday after returning to pre-season training at Melwood following his extended break after the World Cup finals in South Africa.

It was the first time Hodgson has been able to speak to Mascherano and spell out his vision for the club since he was appointed as Benitez’s successor earlier this month.

However, Mascherano, who was accompanied by his agent Walter Tamer, was insistent his future lies away from Liverpool.

Mascherano, who was on the verge of signing a new deal back in April before talks stalled, has made no secret of his desire to leave Anfield this summer and has been heavily linked with a move to European champions Inter.

The 26-year-old’s agent Walter Tamer recently claimed Mascherano would relish the chance of a reunion with Benitez in Italy.

Liverpool insist they have so far received no bids for Mascherano and are in no rush to sell a player who is under contract until 2012.

Liverpool turned down an offer for Mascherano from Barcelona last summer and to get his move this time around he may need to submit a formal transfer request.

Hodgson recently admitted he had been unable to contact the player while he was on holiday in his homeland following the World Cup.

Mascherano initially joined Liverpool on loan from West Ham in February 2007 and a year later the deal was made permanent when he penned a four-year contract. He has scored two goals in 138 appearances for the club.