Source: Telegraph
Liverpool's Rafael Benitez insists Javier Mascherano is going nowhere
Admitting he was shocked by the revelations, Benitez invited Mascherano to explain his remarks and now says he is satisfied the 24-year-old will stay on Merseyside for a few seasons yet. [LNB]"I didn't know about his comments so I talked to him about them and he was clear that he is happy here," Benitez said. "You can't stop clubs talking with his agent because he is a good player, and there aren't too many holding midfielders of his calibre. [LNB] Related ArticlesPremier League team newsGreat conspiracy theoriesGerrard praise for BenitezBenitez denies Keane factorHyypia to leave LiverpoolGerrard: I will lift Premier League trophy"When you have four or five top clubs asking about you, you don't want to say no because you know in football that everything can change. So from a player's point of view, and especially from the agent's, they try to keep the doors open for everyone. [LNB]"But does he want to leave? I don't think so. He knows the best option for him at this moment is this club. In three years' time you never know, but now he knows this is the best option."[LNB]Barcelona and Real Madrid are understood to be the two clubs leading the charge on trying to swipe Mascherano from Liverpool. But having breathed life back into his career when he signed the Argentina captain from West Ham 15 months ago, it seems Benitez is not ready to let his midfielder go. [LNB]Real have also made clear their liking for Xabi Alonso, who this time last year Benitez was trying to sell in order to fund the deal that never happened for Gareth Barry. [LNB]Despite the Spanish giants interest however, Benitez has made is abundantly clear to any potential suitors that they are wasting their time chasing his key players. [LNB]Insisting his prize assets are going nowhere, Benitez added: "We want to keep all our key players here, so it is the same story with Xabi."[LNB]
