Source: Daily_Mail
Double trouble at Liverpool: Alonso and Mascherano give Benitez big problems
Rafael Benitez is facing a crucial stage in his tenure as Liverpool manager as he fends off renewed interest in his disgruntled midfielders Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.
Both players have cut miserable figures on Liverpool's stay in Bangkok with their futures very much in the balance.
Alonso, who sat out yesterday's 1-1 draw against Peter Reid's Thai national team with an ankle injury, has failed to hide his desire to join Real Madrid while Chelsea haveonce again expressed their interest in signing the 27-year-old.
And Mascherano has his agent Walter Tamer agitating for a move to Barcelona saying the Argentina captain simply does not like England any more.
Coupled with the backdrop of Steven Gerrard's high-profile trial for affray, it is far from ideal preparation for Benitez with Liverpool sensing their greatest chance of winning the League title in 20 seasons.
But his stance has been firm. Alonso will not go to Real Madrid for anything less than £35million and Mascherano will stay put.
For all Tamer's protestations about Mascherano's wife being unhappy and Spain being better for his family life, Liverpool suspect money may be the source of hisproblem. A new contract remains the most realistic solution especially as Barcelona would struggle to offer half of Liverpool's £50m valuation.
Alonso, though, is a problem that is developing. Last season he was arguably Liverpool's best player ahead of the talismanic Gerrard and Fernando Torres. His unhappiness though has been clear and could yet unsettle the squad.
As captain Jamie Carragher explained: 'The feeling within the squad is he is a top player and you do not want to lose your top players and hopefully it can be sorted out as quickly as possible. But sometimes you have to do what is in the best interests of the club.
'But that's a personal matter for the manager and the club. We all go through these situations well hopefully not me and, as I said, I just hope it gets sorted out sooner rather than later.'
A departure could be accelerated now that Chelsea seek to capitalise on the impasse between Real and Liverpool.
One of Carlo Ancelotti's first demands of Peter Kenyon was that they try to sign Alonso. Their bids last month, as revealed by Sportsmail, fell short of the initial £20m that was already on the table from Real.
But if they push close to £30m, Benitez will have a problem. He does not want to sell to any Premier League rivals but that could be the best offer he will get for an unhappy 27-year-old.
And, if he forces Alonso to stay, it could prove detrimental.
Going back to Real Madrid and asking them to reconsider may prove his best option.
Whatever he decides will be key to Liverpool's title challenge as replacing Alonso will not prove easy.
Benitez faces more problems following yesterday's friendly. A hamstring injury to defender Martin Skrtel forced him to limp off just 10 minutes after being sent on as asubstitute.
Young Moroccan forward Nabil El Zhar, another of the half-time substitutes, had to go off with a knee injury and the game ended in a downpour.
Mascherano played the second half in Bangkok, one of 10 changes made by Benitez at the break. England right-back Glen Johnson was also sent on but then played on the left.
Torres went on after 80 minutes and went close to forcing a victory. Ryan Babel hit Liverpool's goal, pouncing to strike after six minutes. Panupong Sutee claimed the equaliser after 72 minutes.
Afterwards, Benitez again did not speak about the speculation involving Alonso and Mascherano but said: 'They were not the best conditions here today and the worst thing was to lose Skrtel and El Zhar. The idea of the game was to improve match fitness, so to lose two players is bad news.'
It could get worse as he clearly has big decisions ahead.
