Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has dismissed speculation that a deal for Xabi Alonso has been agreed with Real Madrid and expects the midfielder to play in Sunday's friendly with Singapore.
The Reds are currently on a pre-season tour of Asia and, despite travelling with the squad, Alonso's future has been cast into doubt with reports in Spain suggesting that he is on the verge of a move to the Bernabeu.
His manager, however, says there is no truth in the stories but admitted that the speculation surrounding Javier Mascherano's Anfield future is 'a big problem'. The Argentina captain has been linked continuously with a move to European champions Barcelona and the Spaniard insisted that the player is an important part of his first-team squad.
“Like I said before, Alonso will enjoy the weather, the fans and the journalists He is ready and can play," he said.
“As for Mascherano, you have a big problem now in the press.
“There are too many websites, too many newspapers, too many radio and TV stations who have to compete every day.
“It seems sometimes you repeat something and people read news that is 15 days out of date.
“Mascherano knows our ideas. He is working hard and is an important player for us.”
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