“That's why we have to be forgiven for getting irritated when agents stir things even more. It's bad enough when there's a genuine offer, that leaves a problem to resolve. That's when you find yourself having to bat away things you shouldn't really be talking about.”

Hodgson added: “I don't think players mean it as a challenge to your authority or the club's, but it's a selfish situation where they want to do something and then expect the club and me, in my position as one of the leaders of the club, to bow down and accept they are going to get their way. Unfortunately then there will be periods of time when there is a bit of unpleasantness.

“Players must also understand when you sign contracts, you do so to play. If the club decides it's going to accept an offer for you and let you go then that's one thing. If the club say 'you have a contract, we're not selling', then therefore they are staying.”

Mascherano, who has agreed a four-year, £85,000-a-week contract at Barcelona, scored two goals in 139 appearances for Liverpool since arriving from West Ham United in January 2007.

A statement from Barcelona read yesterday morning: “FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement in principle to the transfer of Javier Mascherano for the next four seasons.

“The deal was closed after the intensive efforts made by the club in the last few hours and through the provision of the player himself engaged in the negotiation.”

Hodgson now faces a race against time to bring in a replacement for Mascherano before the transfer window closes on Tuesday evening.

Reports in Italy yesterday suggested the Liverpool manager was contemplating a move for Udinese's 26-year-old Switzerland international midfielder Gokhan Inler.

Hodgson is also hopeful of tying up a move for Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky and is confident of adding at least two new faces.