Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool manager Roy Hodsgon reveals Javier Mascherano will leave on his terms
The genial smile was never far away, but mention of Javier Mascherano's future brought a sharp reminder that Roy Hodgson is not to be trifled with in his role as Liverpool manager. [LNB]Mascherano received a firm promise 12 months ago that he would be allowed to leave this summer, provided he knuckled down last season, and is now pressing Liverpool to keep their word. But if he goes, says Hodgson, it will be on the club's terms, not the player's. [LNB] Kop that! Hodgson says Mascherano will only leave Liverpool on his terms [LNB]If there remains uncertainty over the £25million-rated midfielder's future - with Barcelona evidently cooling their interest and Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti prepared to pay no more than £15m - there could be no ambiguity over Hodgson's assessment of the situation and insistence there would be no cut-price deal to facilitate his departure. [LNB]While understanding Mascherano's reasons for wanting a move, the former Fulham boss made it clear his sympathy stretched only so far and that his conditions for any transfer were not up for negotiation. [LNB]Revealing the steely side to his normally affable nature, he stressed that a calf strain was the only reason for the player's absence against Trabzonspor in tonight's Europa League play-off first leg at Anfield. [LNB] Enlarge Having a ball: Jamie Carrager and Steven Gerrard in training[LNB]Should he recover in time, he will be considered for selection in Turkey next Thursday, even though it would cast a further shadow over his hopes of a move by making him ineligible for the Champions League until the knock-out stages next year. [LNB]Brushing aside any fears that a brooding Mascherano may allow his discontent to spill on to the pitch, Hodgson confirmed the Argentina skipper had been offered a new four-year contract, thought to be worth close on £100,000 a week, and added he would make him see out the two years left on his current deal, rather than let him go on the cheap.[LNB]Doubtful: Torres may not start[LNB] 'If an offer comes in that is commensurate with his value, that is one thing, but Javier does not expect us simply to allow him to walk out of here,' said Hodgson, who is considering resting skipper Steven Gerrard tonight.[LNB] 'In an ideal world, I would not even be entertaining the idea of listening to any offers, regardless of the amount. It is only because of the promise made to him, amid all the interest from Barcelona a year ago, that we have been prepared to go this far. The fact is, he lives alone in Liverpool, because his wife never settled, so it would benefit him and his family if he moved to another country. [LNB]'But he's the best in the world at what he does, so a club have to make an offer that reflects his status. If that happened, and we reneged on our promise, we would have an unhappy player on our hands. But we won't have an unhappy player if there is no offer or only one that is ludicrously below what he, I and the whole world know he is worth. So far, there has been no offer whatsoever. [LNB]'That is how things stand, and I would have had no qualms about playing him tomorrow, had he been fit. There has been no pressure to avoid making him cup-tied. He has a new contract offer from us, and I'll be delighted if he decides to sign it. If not, I'll be quite happy to work with him for the next two years, and if he walks away, then so be it.'[LNB] Inter's former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is believed to be back on the trail of Dirk Kuyt but was given short shrift by Hodgson, who said bluntly: 'He is not for sale.' [LNB]Just 48 hours after Tottenham struggled in the Champions League against Young Boys in Berne, Switzerland, Hodgson warned English football's dominance in Europe was facing another stern test against a Trabzonspor side with six Turkish titles and eight cups to their name.[LNB] 'The draw was particularly unkind to us in pairing us with the strongest of the unseeded sides,' he said. 'They play in a very competitive league in Turkey and have an excellent record in Europe, so we know what we are up against.' [LNB]Hodgson confirmed hi s interest in PSV Eindhoven's Sweden striker Ola Toivonen as he weighed up the claims of striker Fernando Torres and new signing Christian Poulsen for starting places tonight.[LNB] 'We have watched him (Toivonen) but I can't give you any further indication,' he said. 'Torres is very keen to start, but I haven't decided yet. I don't know if he is up to two games in four days, so we have to be mindful of facing Manchester City on Monday. [LNB]'As for Poulsen, he had a pre-season with Juventus and is physically fit. It's his match fitness that is the question. [LNB] Javier Mascherano leaves door open to Inter Milan move as midfielder misses Europa League clash with TrabzonsporCavalieri heads for Liverpool exit after Jones wraps up £2.3m Anfield moveKuyt back in Inter Milan's sights after Italian champions fail to sign SculliLIVERPOOL FC
