Javier Mascherano told by Liverpool to stay put

Javier Mascherano has been warned that his attempts to leave Liverpool are futile.

Manager Rafa Benitez has made clear to the Argentine that he will refuse point blank even to consider any Barcelona proposal for him.

Mascherano returns to training with the Reds this weekend, still apparently hopeful over his chances of securing a move to Spain.

But the door was firmly shut yesterday by the Anfield boss, who sent a strong message to his midfield enforcer that there is now absolutely no prospect of a deal.

The two will meet face to face on Sunday, and Benitez has made clear that by then, he expects Mascherano to have accepted his decision.

The Liverpool boss wants the Argentina international to commit his future to Anfield, and is prepared to give him a pay rise if he does.

Benitez has settled on a policy of selling Xabi Alonso - but only if the price is right - and that means he simply can't afford to lose Mascherano as well.

It is a blow for the midfielder who had hoped to force a move to Spain, where he claims his wife and family will be more comfortable.

Alonso looks certain to leave after making clear his unhappiness at Anfield, and the Spanish international is expected to make some sort of formal request for a move, to force a transfer to Real Madrid.

Benitez has already been lining up a replacement, and will forge ahead with the controversial deal if Madrid come close to a valuation of around £30million.

The transfer could even be completed by the end of this week if Alonso forces the issue and the Spanish side come up with the cash, though the haggling continued yesterday, with Real claiming they could not afford to go over £22million.

Benitez has been tracking Marseille midfielder Lorit Cana, but he will have to move extremely quickly, with the Albania international on the verge of joining Hamburg.

Intriguingly though, that deal was delayed yesterday with Everton also being cited as a possible alternative destination for the 25 year old.

If that option doesn't materialise for Benitez, then he has alternatives, with Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani a distinct target at a fee of around £16million, leaving money to spare from any Alonso deal.

The 25 year old Italy international is a similar ball-playing midfielder to Alonso, and is seen as many as an ideal replacement.

Benitez has also checked on Belgian international Steven Defour, a 21 year old who is also being pursued by Everton and would be one for the future, and the same applies to another player being monitored, Athletic Bilbao's 20 year old Javi Martinez.

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