Hodgson Hails Masch

17 Aug 2010

Liverpool's new manager Roy Hodgson has praised Javier Mascherano for the midfielder's performance in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday despite the Argentine repeatedly requesting o move away from the club.

Mascherano looked a forlorn figure last season as Liverpool bombed in both the Premier League, where they eventually finished in seventh place, and in Europe, where they were knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage.

There had been reports all summer that the holding midfielder wanted a move away from the club, with Barcelona named as his most likely destination and when Mascherano revealed last week that he no longer wanted to live in England, these rumours were confirmed.

With these problems occupying the mind of Mascherano, Hodgson would have been forgiven for not playing him in the season opener with the Gunners but the Argentina captain played and was impressive in the draw with Arsene Wenger's men and now Hodgson has revealed that there is still a chance of Mascherano staying on Merseyside.

"His performance didn't surprise me," said Hodgson. "He is a top quality player - one of the best at his job in the world and he showed that once again today.

"It's only speculation from the mass media, if I am brutally honest. We've had no offer for Javier Mascherano.

"He is playing at Liverpool and how many clubs could he move to better or on the same level? As yet, we have not received any offers from anyone.

"There are two weeks to go (in the transfer window) and you never know. Some of these clubs, for reasons best known to themselves, like to come in with offers on August 28 or 29.

"The fact is, we want to keep him here and will keep him here unless an offer comes along which is correct. By that I mean, is in keeping with his value and one we think would be wrong for us to turn down because we have said if that offer comes in we will accept it.

Liverpool take on Manchester City next, with bwin offering 23/10 on them winning the match, with Blue Square offering 15/8 and Stan James 21/10 currently.