LIVERPOOL have stressed their determination to keep Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano at Anfield.
Alonso has been linked with Real Madrid, who have not hidden their admiration for the Spain midfielder, and Argentinian Mascherano is reported to be a target of Barcelona.
Madrid’s young strikers Alvaro Negredo and Alberto Bueno have been suggested as makeweights in any possible deal for Alonso.
However Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez considers his midfield pair to be integral to the club’s plans for next season, recently stating that Barcelona ‘could not afford’ Mascherano and that Alonso was ‘not for sale’.
The club yesterday backed Benitez by issuing a statement indicating any approaches for the pair will be firmly rejected.
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