The Fans Football Blog3

Asked about the rumours linking Liverpool defensive midfielder and Argentine international Javier Mascherano (25) with a move to Barcelona (read more here), Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez has said at a press conference that the player will definitely stay:

"Javier knows he is staying. He has accepted his future is here and that he is going to be a key player for us once more. Mascherano is now fully focused on us and what we might achieve together this season, I can guarantee that 100 per cent. We've spoken about his situation before and we spoke again. Before, it was difficult and he could see Xabi Alonso was on his way.

Now he has seen Alonso go and so he knows he must stay. He knows he is staying and is clear about that in his own mind, and he is ready to show a lead to the rest of the players. He realises he is a very, very important player for us. He is a key player, he knows he has to be an example and he is ready. There has been a significant improvement in his game over the past ten days. He has been a lot more focused, and we are seeing the real Javier Mascherano again."

Read more:
Mascherano, Chygrynskiy, Mata: Two out of three
Txiki on Cesc, Mascherano and Chygrynskiy
Mascherano is in Barcelona