Mascherano :I will go to the olympics with Argentina

[Bender]

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano is on a crash course with Reds’ manager Rafa Benitez over his desire to represent Argentina in the summer Olympics.

The midfielder is determined to play for his country at the Beijing summer games, but that would mean missing the first four weeks of the Premiership season, and the start of Liverpool’s Champions League campaign.

Fifa rules state that each country can take three over-age players and should Mascherano decide to accept the call-up, there will be nothing Rafa Benitez can do to stop him.

“I want to be in the Olympic Games. I was in the team that won it last time” Mascherano told the News of the World.

“I know Liverpool have big games but for me to play for my country is the best thing possible” he added.

Benitez will no doubt try to persuade the Argentine not to go and show his loyalty to Liverpool, but Mascherano insists his heart is set on representing his country.

“We will have to talk to the manager about this...but I want to play for my country.”

The Olympic Games start on August 8 and run to August 24, but Mascherano would need to join up with the Argentine squad two weeks in advance for a training camp.

[Matt]

Lucas will be there as well no doubt, for once we'll be short of options in the middle. It's a good thing Plessis has emerged and I would say it's essential he now plays the last 2 games.

Four weeks is more than enough time for another title challenge to go off the rails

[JohnDoe]

Another reason why Alonso will not leave.

Lucas is headed there too, isn't he?

[Vermilion]

If he go's it wont realistically have an affect on our end of season position, looking at the players the top3 are looking to add to already excellent sides we will be fighting for 4th as usual. So ****in depressing seeing the Chavs linked to Messi & Kaka while we just argue in the boardroom.

Ah bollocks, i got out the wrong side of the bed today, only to be greeted with that gossip, i just want this **** to end.

[Exiled_red]

Hopefully the fixture list won't throw up an early meeting with the other top sides during that time ... but knowing our luck...

[Bender]

Hopefully the fixture list won't throw up an early meeting with the other top sides during that time ... but knowing our luck...

Fixture list just announced:
Liverpool v man utd
Chelsea v Liverpool
Everton v Liverpool
Liverpool v Arsenal

[Guest]

Fixture list just announced:
Liverpool v man utd
Chelsea v Liverpool
Everton v Liverpool
Liverpool v Arsenal

[Joe King]

Explains Barry coming in..

[JPK]

Explains Barry coming in..

Sure does

[Sarb]

Hope he'll work on his passing over the summer

[-V-]

It means that we will have Alonso, Gerrard and Plessis to fill the central positions for a month or so

442

[jayjay]

Not happy. He has already won a gold in athens, I mean come on the football event in the olympics is a bit of a joke tournament. I have really taken to young Tommy but he should be focusing on Liverpool 100% next season, we already have to put up with the Copa Americas.

[Matt]

Not happy. He has already won a gold in athens, I mean come on the football event in the olympics is a bit of a joke tournament. I have really taken to young Tommy but he should be focusing on Liverpool 100% next season, we already have to put up with the Copa Americas.

True but he'll never get a chance to play in an Olympics again.

[spud_gun]

Not happy. He has already won a gold in athens, I mean come on the football event in the olympics is a bit of a joke tournament. I have really taken to young Tommy but he should be focusing on Liverpool 100% next season, we already have to put up with the Copa Americas.

100% agree.

[Guest]

It means that we will have Alonso, Gerrard and Plessis to fill the central positions for a month or so

442

Barry ?