Mascherano coy on Anfield future

The Argentine’s contract runs until the end of next season, but Liverpool’s failings both domestically and in Europe this term have fuelled speculation that he could be on his way out of Merseyside.

Manager Rafael Benitez has claimed that talks have begun positively over a new deal, though the 25-year-old refuses to be drawn on where his future lies after 2011.

Mascherano has continually been linked with a move to the Camp Nou.

But he insisted he is concentrating only on doing well for Liverpool at the moment.

“I am playing for Liverpool, I am a Liverpool player and, like the manager says, I have two more years on my contract and don’t have to say anything else,” he told Sky Sports News.

“I play for Liverpool and continue to do my best.”

The midweek home defeat to Fiorentina sealed a miserable Champions League campaign for Benitez’s side, who failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in six years.

Mascherano, however, is not panicking and is adamant Liverpool can turn their season around.

“It is not a good season but everything can change and in May we could be talking about Liverpool winning something,” he added.