Football - Liverpool FC: Liverpool facing a fight to keep Javier Mascherano at Anfield beyond this season

Nov 17 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Football - Liverpool FC: LIVERPOOL are facing a major battle to keep Javier Mascherano at Anfield beyond the end of the season.

Mascherano is a long-term target of Barcelona, who enquired about the Argentine midfielder’s availability during the last transfer window but stopped short of making an formal offer.

Reports over the weekend suggested the midfielder’s advisers had already negotiated personal terms with the Catalans ahead of the two clubs agreeing a fee.

Liverpool, though, have had no contact from Barcelona since the summer and do not expect any fresh approach in January.

But the Spanish giants are almost certain to return with an offer at the end of the campaign once their presidential elections have been completed.

Current incumbent Joan Laporta’s term ends in June and coach Pep Guardiola, a huge admirer of Mascherano, is refusing to commit to a new contract until the next president is determined.

A move for Mascherano could be further complicated by the fact Barcelona do not at present possess the spending power of rivals Real Madrid as they look to facilitate the £175million redevelopment of Camp Nou into a 106,000-seater, fully-covered stadium.

It has led sources in Spain to claim Ivory Coast international midfielder Yaya Toure will be offered as a makeweight should any deal for Mascherano be given the go-ahead.

However, even that scenario could be compromised with Manchester City believed to be close to agreeing a deal with Barcelona for Toure, who is brother of Eastlands centre-back Kolo.

Meanwhile, Ryan Babel admits he is finding it difficult to cope with his “super-sub” tag but remains convinced he is good enough to be in Rafael Benitez’s starting line-up.

Babel’s goal in the 1-1 Champions League draw against Lyon earlier this month was his 12th from the bench.

Only David Fairclough, the original super-sub, has scored more goals as substitute for Liverpool.

And Babel said: “To be a super-sub is mentally hard. The Liverpool fans are happy with me as a substitute, but I didn’t get a chance yet as starter. I have never played three matches in a row from the start.

“It’s clear I have enough qualities to be in the starting XI of Liverpool, but when you never get a real chance it’s getting difficult.

“I’m not the type of player who gives up. Benitez told me he sees me as a starter in the Liverpool XI in the future. At this time I still believe him.

“But to be underestimated is my biggest motivation. I will take revenge in different ways.”

David Ngog has handed Liverpool fitness worry after being sent for scans on a suspected broken nose suffered while training with the France Under-21 squad.

However, the damage is unlikely to threaten his involvement for Saturday’s Premier League visit of Manchester City.