Source: Team_Talk
Aldridge looks at the positives
Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge believes the club have to take what positives they can from the Javier Mascherano saga.[LNB] The Argentina captain was left out of the squad for Monday night's 3-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City because manager Roy Hodgson said he had been affected by a bid from Barcelona.[LNB]Mascherano will not be in the party which flies out to Turkey on Wednesday morning for their Europa League play-off second leg against Trabzonspor.[LNB]Although Barcelona's opening offer, about £16million, was way below Liverpool's valuation the player has reportedly already agreed personal terms on a four-year, £85,000-a-week contract.[LNB]It seems inconceivable the 26-year-old will still be at Anfield in a week's time as Barcelona are sure to return with an improved offer, and then it will just be a case of how much the Reds hold out for.[LNB]And although it leaves little time to find a replacement or, more likely, utilise the money elsewhere Aldridge believes the club should be able to bring in two players for the price of one.[LNB]"There is no real panic for me but it is important to sort out the Mascherano thing," he said.[LNB]"Then Roy can get a few players in, two proper players for what you get [for Mascherano] and let's hope he can do that.[LNB]"But only he (Hodgson) knows what he's got to spend."
