Liverpool deny move for Jovanovic

LIVERPOOL have no interest in Standard Liege's Milan Jovanovic despite reports in Belgium suggesting they have made an approach for the striker.

The 28-year-old Serbian international, who is out of contract next June, is set to be sold during the January transfer window and is available for around two million euros.

Sources close to the player have claimed he is currently weighing up the chance to make the switch to Liverpool, AC Milan or Stuttgart with Anfield his favoured destination.

However, Liverpool won't be submitting a bid for the Belgrade-born former Shakhtar Donetsk and Locomotiv Moscow frontman.

Jovanovic was crowned Belgium's player of the year in 2008 and in January this year he claimed he had turned down the chance to move to Everton.

Meanwhle, Javier Mascherano will be able to use his four-match ban to recover from a knee injury after it was confirmed that he has sprained medial ligaments.

The Argentinean came off second best in the challenge on Tal Ben Haim which earned him a red card in Saturdays defeat at Portsmouth.

He will be suspended for the games against Wolves, Aston Villa, Reading and Tottenham but would have sat them out anyway.

A club spokesman said: The player had a scan which confirmed the medical teams initial diagnosis that he suffered a medial ligament sprain in his left knee.

He is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks.

Mascherano was handed a four-game ban because he has already served a suspension this season.

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were last night named in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI for 2009.

The Reds pair were included in the line-up after more than 50,000 professional footballers from across the globe voted for the best player in each position.

Gerrard and Torres inclusion was announced at the FIFA World Player Gala 2009 in Zurich.

The XI in full: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester Utd), Patrice Evra (Manchester Utd), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).

Lionel Messi was rewarded for a stunning year in which he helped Barcelona to an unprecedented six trophies by being named FIFAs world player of the year.

The FIFA Fair Play Award was given posthumously to Sir Bobby Robson for his outstanding commitment to the values of fair play throughout his career.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the views or position of Liverpool Football Club.