Rafa Benitez confident Javier Mascherano will stay at Liverpool FC

Javier Mascherano 300RAFA BENITEZ has confidently declared how he expects Javier Mascherano to follow Pepe Reina's lead and commit his future to Liverpool.The Reds midfielder has been offered a two-year extension to his current contract but, effectively, it amounts to a new four-year deal which would expire in 2014.Mascherano's future has been the source of some debate for most of the season, particularly as Barcelona vigorously pursued his signature last summer.Liverpool officials, though, have been in constant dialogue with Mascherano's advisors and the latest talks, which took place on Thursday, were very positive.It has left Benitez bullish that Mascherano will become the latest key figure in his squad - after Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Daniel Agger - to commit his future to Anfield.'He is more focused and I know he is happier,' said Benitez. 'I have spoken with his agent and now Javier wants to improve and he wants to push us into the top four.'The approach ( to contract talks) is good and he is happy. He is one of the best. He is captain of Argentina, one of the best teams in the world.'The conversations we have had were very positive. The first thing is the player. He has really settled down now. Then there is the agent.'He's been very good when we have dealt with him in the past. Everyone knew that some clubs were interested in Javier but, talking with us, it was always fine.

Source: Liverpool_Echo