Source: Telegraph
Rafael Benitez: Liverpool will keep Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso
Comments attributed to Mascherano suggested he would consider his position at the club over the summer, while Benitez remains coy over whether Alonso, arguably the club's best player this season, will be sacrificed as he seeks to strengthen his squad.
But the Spaniard, adamant his midfield duo are going nowhere, insists he will keep the spine of his team together as he bids to launch another genuine Premier League title bid next season.
He said: "We want to keep the key players together at the club, we are very clear on that.
"I spoke with Javier this morning and he is really happy here and really pleased to be at Liverpool. What he meant with his comments was that he cannot stop top sides asking about him. He is a key player for me so I think he is OK."
The Liverpool manager also revealed central defender Daniel Agger is "close" to signing a new contract at the club after further progress in talks. The Danish international is believed to be a target for Barcelona and AC Milan but Benitez is keen to keep him at Anfield.
Benitez will welcome his captain Steven Gerrard back into the Liverpool side for Sunday's game after he recovered from the groin injury which has ruled him out of the club's last four games. Liverpool have coped admirably in his absence, beating Blackburn and Hull and drawing with Arsenal and Chelsea, scoring a remarkable 15 goals in the process.
But while the Spaniard is full of praise for the way in which the likes of Alonso, Dirk Kuyt and Gerrard's partner in crime Fernando Torres have shouldered extra responsibility in his absence, he is clearly relieved to have his talisman available for selection as Liverpool's season reaches its climax.
He said: "He is fit, he is in training and I hope he will be available for the game. The team has been doing really well without him but everyone knows we are stronger with him on the pitch. He is very important for us."
