Back at Melwood: Javier Mascherano has returned
from holiday after his exploits at the World Cup
Javier Mascherano has met new
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson for the first time
after returning to pre-season training at Melwood.
The Argentina captain has been uncontactable since going on
holiday after the World Cup but was back on schedule along with
compatriot Maxi Rodriguez on Monday morning.
Hodgson tried to speak to the 26-year-old, who has been heavily
linked with a summer reunion with former Liverpool boss Rafael
Benitez at Inter Milan, following
the end of the player's involvement in South Africa.
However, Hodgson was only able to leave messages for Mascherano
telling him he was looking forward to meeting him back on
Merseyside as his calls were not returned.
The new Liverpool chief will outline his plans to Mascherano in
much the same way as he has already done to senior players Steven
Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres in an attempt to
persuade him he has a future at Anfield.
But there still remains a nagging doubt that the combative
midfielder, who was offered a new contract in the latter stages of
last season, has set his sights on a move to the continent.
Neither Mascherano nor Rodriguez will be available for
Thursday's Europa League third qualifying round first leg tie
against Rabotnicki in Macedonia.
However, Hodgson admits he may have to field a number of his
other World Cup stars earlier than he would have liked.
The club's medical staff have warned their manager bringing the
likes of Gerrard, Carragher, Glen Johnson, new signing Jole Cole
and Daniel Agger back too soon may have dire effects later in the
season.
Back in the fold: Mascherano in action for Argentina at
this summer's World Cup
Therefore, Hodgson admits he may not be able to afford to take
the risk of not using senior players.
'I don't know what to do at this stage,' he said. 'I will have
to make a decision by Tuesday on what sort of team I can put
out.
'I can promise the Liverpool fans we will put out the best
possible team, without compromising the future.
'The only players I will take will be the ones that I definitely
think will play a valuable part in the game.
'I would not take Steven Gerrard there to play for the last 10
minutes as a substitute.'
One senior player who will be available is midfielder Alberto
Aquilani, who sat out Saturday's friendly defeat to Kaiserslautern
with a knee problem.
