Reds ready to fight for Masch

Liverpool are ready to fight ‘tooth-and-nail’ to hang on to Javier Mascherano. The Argentine midfielder has been widely linked with a £30m move to Barcelona after reports suggested he was unhappy on Merseyside. But manager Rafa Benitez has now revealed that the club are in talks to extend the 25-year-old’s contract. "We are happy and he is happier now. The last conversations that we had were very positive," revealed Benitez on Sunday. "Everyone can see he's doing really well and has come back to his best. We were really pleased to talk to him to make progress," he added. Mascherano, who initially moved to Anfield on loan, eventually cost the club £18m. Benitez said even an offer of £50m would not be enough to sign the player. "Clubs can forget about bidding for him - he has no price and he's happy here."