Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has hinted he will not select wantaway midfielder Javier Mascherano again until the transfer window has closed but has not admitted defeat in his battle to keep the player.
The 26-year-old has been linked with Inter Milan and Barcelona, with reports circulating that the Catalans had submitted a derisory £12million bid. As a result Mascherano was left out of Liverpool's squad for the Barclays Premier League match against Manchester City at Eastlands because Hodgson did not believe the Argentina captain was in the right frame of mind - and not because he refused to play.
"Hopefully matters will be resolved before the end of the transfer window and I'll be able to pick him again," said the Reds boss on Sky Sports. "I don't know where he is tonight (Monday night) but he's not here with us."
He added: "There is some speculation about his future and at the moment his mind is not right and it was not right to select him."
Hodgson has previously admitted the club have told Mascherano that he can leave providing they receive the right offer - honouring an agreement the player struck 12 months ago when Barcelona first expressed their interest.
However, they will not allow a player they bought from West Ham for £18million three and a half years ago to leave on the cheap, even if the situation descends into a stand-off between player and club.
"Until an offer matches our valuation he will stay with us," Hodgson said.
Source: PA
