Benitez confident on Mascherano as Reds face Wigan

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez heads into Monday’s crucial clash at Wigan confident Javier Mascherano will follow Jose Reina’s lead and commit his future to the club before the end of the season.

Mascherano has been offered a two-year extension to his current contract which, if he signs, would commit the Argentina captain to Anfield until 2014.

The midfielder’s future has been a source of debate for most of the season, particularly as Barcelona vigorously pursued his signature in the close-season.

Liverpool officials, though, have been in constant dialogue with Mascherano?s advisors and the latest talks, which took place on Thursday, were so positive that Benitez believes it is only a matter of time before the player signs on the dotted line.

Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Daniel Agger have all committed their Anfield futures in recent months.

“Javier is more focused and I know he is happier,” Benitez said. “I have spoken with his agent and now Javier wants to improve and he wants to push us into the top four.

“He is one of the best. He is captain of Argentina, one of the best teams in the world.

“The conversations we have had were very positive. The first thing is the player. He has really settled down now. Then there is the agent.

“He?s been very good when we have dealt with him in the past. Everyone knew that some clubs were interested in Javier but, talking with us, it was always fine.

“Will a deal be struck by the end of the season? I think so. I?m sure we will have (good) news about Javier and Pepe very soon.

“That will be very positive for the future. When I say 100 per cent (about Reina), that is because I know.”

Spain keeper Reina has agreed a new, long-term deal and only the formalities of putting pen to paper remain before it will be officially announced.

“Pepe is a key player and everything is fine,” Benitez said ahead of Monday’s trip to the DW Stadium.

“There are no problems with either him or Javier. Pepe is a great character with great passion.

“I remember when he came here, people said to me ‘for England maybe he is not the best’ but, for me, he is the best in England. We want to keep him for a long time.”

Although Glen Johnson is close to returning from a serious knee injury which has ruled the England international out since December, Mascherano is expected to continue his role as emergency right-back at Wigan.

Liverpool cannot afford to drop points as they pursue a top four finish while Wigan desperately need points to ease their relegation worries.

Wigan have failed to record a victory in nine attempts against Liverpool since winning promotion to the Premier League in 2005, taking just two points from a possible 27.

But Benitez has warned his players to be wary of Wigan, who shocked title-chasing Chelsea at the DW Stadium earlier in the season.

“In the Premier League you don’t have too many easy games,” Benitez said.

“Wigan are in a battle to avoid relegation so it will be very difficult for us. They try to play football and they have some strong players too, so I think we will have to respect Wigan.”

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, who will give late fitness tests to Charles N’Zogbia and Paul Scharner, insists his side is capable of upsetting Liverpool despite a season of struggle.

“We know all about the quality Liverpool have in their side, the concepts they use and how strong they are as a team,” said Martinez.

“But we’re playing at home which gives us a great advantage, we’ve won big games here already this season, Chelsea being a prime example.”