Rafael Benitez believes Javier Mascherano will become a
Liverpool player - even if FIFA do not answer the Anfield club's
appeal to be allowed to sign the Argentina international before the
transfer window closes on Wednesday. Liverpool want to end the
midfielder's West Ham nightmare by taking him on loan, even though
he has already played for two clubs in the last 12
months.
FIFA's rules forbid a player having three clubs in that time, but
Liverpool launched an appeal to be allowed to sign Mascherano, who
has played only five games for the Hammers - and none since
November - since his controversial signing last summer, along with
countryman Carlos Tevez.
Benitez, who takes his side to face West Ham at Upton Park tomorrow
for a game crucial to both ends of the Barclays Premiership table,
believes he will get his man in the end. Benitez said: "We are
waiting for FIFA to make a decision, but even if that does not come
before the deadline, I believe he will still be able to join us."
It appears the only way that could happen then is if West Ham tear
up his contract and make Mascherano a free agent. Benitez admitted:
"That is an option."
The Liverpool boss added: "I hope he will join us, he has great
experience. "We know the rule says he cannot play for three clubs,
but he is unable to play at West Ham and we must take into
consideration the law, and the law is more important than the
rules. "He is unable to work at the moment, nobody can say you
cannot work."
Benitez has trailed the midfielder since before last summer's World
Cup, and said: "We were aware of the player when he was at River
Plate, he was in the national team at 18. There is no doubt about
the quality of the player. "He played well in the World Cup and he
is a great professional with talent and quality.
"We have good midfielders in Alonso, Gerrard, Sissoko and Zenden,
but the only holding midfielder is Alonso and the idea is to bring
Mascherano here to put pressure on in that role. "If we sign him it
will be on loan for one and a half years, at least. He is a good
option and has the character and ability to do well in the
Premiership. "We have an agreement, but we must wait for the FIFA
decision. We hope that will come in the next two days, but if it
does not we still believe we will be able to sign him."
He continued: "We are doing our best as a club to sort this out.
FIFA need to do something before January 31. But if they do not, I
still feel we can achieve what we want. "We talked to West Ham and
had permission to talk to Mascherano, that says that he is not
likely to play for them again.
