Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

• Ground:Anfield
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Mascherano hints at Reds exit

05 Jun 2010 - 14:04:55

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Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has admitted his own Anfield future is uncertain following the departure of manager Rafael Benitez.

Benitez left the Merseyside club after six years in the hot-seat by mutual consent on Thursday.

The Spaniard presided over a disastrous season which saw the Reds finish a distant seventh in the final Premier League table.

Benitez brought Mascherano to Liverpool in January 2007 following a troubled spell at West Ham and the South American has blossomed into one of the world's leading defensive midfielders during his time at Anfield.

However, the Argentina captain is refusing to rule out following Benitez out of the club, with Barcelona reported to be interested in acquiring his services.

"Would I follow Benitez? I don't know," he said. "At the moment I really know little about my future.

"But of course with Benitez at Liverpool I experienced three incredible years. His football is my football."

Meanwhile, Mascherano has backed Benitez to continue his career at Internazionale.

The Italian champions are on the lookout for a new coach following Jose Mourinho's recent departure to Real Madrid.

"Only Benitez could take the place of a coach like Mourinho," he added. "He is a great coach. He has charisma, personality and a winning mentality.

"Moreover, he will find himself brilliantly in Italy because of the tactical game.

"Rafa studies everything on the table and directs the team from the bench like an orchestra conductor.

"Inter have made a good choice. After Mourinho, he is the only man capable of continuing Inter's winning run."