Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool and Arsenal dilemma over releasing stars for Christmas friendly
Liverpool must decide whether to take on Argentina after Diego Maradona called up Javier Mascherano for a showpiece friendly next month.[LNB]The South Americans face Catalonia in the Nou Camp on December 22, while injury-hit Liverpool will be preparing for the busy Christmas period.[LNB]The match is not on a date set aside by FIFA for internationals, meaning clubs are under no obligation to release players, but Argentina captain Mascherano will no doubt want to play.[LNB] Call of duty: Argentina want Javier Mascherano (right) for their friendly in Catalonia next month[LNB]The midfielder is the only England-based player called up to the squad, while the other 18 players are all at clubs who will have started a winter break. [LNB]His Liverpool team-mate Emiliano Insua, Manchester City's Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta, plus Newcastle United's Jonas Gutierrez and Fabricio Coloccini were all left out of the group.[LNB]Argentina are taking on a Catalonia side picked by Johan Cruyff, which should feature Barcelona stars such as Xavi and Gerard Pique. Arsenal face a similar dilemma to Liverpool after Fabregas was called up to the friendly, which sits between the Gunners taking on Hull City and Aston Villa.[LNB] Changing colours: Spain international Cesc Fabregas has been called up to play for Catalonia in an unofficial international[LNB]Liverpool play Portsmouth three days before the friendly, before hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day.[LNB]Both Liverpool and Arsenal have suffered injury crises in recent weeks and maybe reluctant to risk their midfield linchpins before a busy period of matches.[LNB] We'll prove we are a great team, vows Rafa Benitez as Liverpool boss fights to save his future Liverpool star Gerrard demands unity in fight to save Reds season from perilDepressed Arshavin loses Arsenal mojo as he hits out at Russia drinking claimsARSENAL FC
