Mascherano staying with Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has pledged his future to the club and expects a new contract to be signed "in the next few weeks".

Securing the Argentina captain and goalkeeper Jose Reina on extended deals have been a priority of manager Rafael Benitez. With Reina close to finally concluding the deal it appears Mascherano will not be far behind him.

"The club are talking with my agents," said Mascherano, who was a reported target for Barcelona in the summer.

"I don't like to be involved in the contract meetings so I leave that to my agents and the people at the club.

"Liverpool know I want to stay. I don't think it will be difficult to arrive at a deal and we will see what happens in the next few weeks."

Benitez has always been confident the 25-year-old would extend his stay at Anfield despite speculation to the contrary and the player sees his future at Anfield.

"I have never said I was not happy at Liverpool. That was the press," said Mascherano, who has been one of the more consistent performers in a disappointing season - even when filling in as an emergency right-back on a couple of occasions.

"I am happy here and the only way I can show that is with my performances on the pitch.

"I always try to do everything I can to help my team-mates and manager. Sometimes I can do well and sometimes I can't, but I always look to give 100% in training and in games."

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