Rafa Benitez's side are already six points behind
Chelsea following their third defeat of the season at Stamford
Bridge on Sunday.
Now Italians Juve are planning a fresh bid for
Argentine midfielder Mascherano, 24, who they tried to sign from
West Ham before he moved to Anfield in January 2007.
The Turin giants are ready to offer £23million as they
seek to grab the Serie A title away from Inter Milan. And club
officials plan to open talks with their Anfield opposite numbers in
the coming weeks.
Mascherano is already a target for Barcelona, with
Liverpool rejecting an ]approach for him from the European
champions during the summer.
Mascherano, who possesses an Italian passport, is
tempted to move away from Merseyside even though he is under
contract until 2012.
He is believed to be unhappy at the break-up of his
partnership with Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid in the
summer.
And he was dismayed at criticism for his performance in
the 2-0 defeat at Chelsea.
The Kop have got their own back on Chelsea by stealing
Benfica wonderkid Toni Brito Sa from under their noses.
Benfica have accepted Liverpool's offer of £290,000 for
one of the most highly-rated youngsters in Portugal.
Guinea-born Brito, 16, had a trial at Chelsea when Phil
Scolari was boss and was ready to sign a six-year deal.
