Olympics quandary for Rafa

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Mascherano, 23, looks likely to be named in Sergio Batista's Argentina squad as an over-age player but the issue has seemingly caused consternation at Anfield with Benitez worried about his absence for the start of the new Barclays Premier League campaign.

Benitez told the club's website, liverpoolfc.tv: "This is a very difficult situation for us because we have Lucas, who is eligible through his age with Brazil, and Mascherano, who can play for Argentina as an over-age player, so I need to discuss his position with him. We will see what happens."

He added: "We have some time so we need to wait and we will try to find a solution with Mascherano that will be the best for the club and the best for the player.

"With Lucas and Sebastian Leto we will accept the situation.

"It is a difficult situation because if the countries want the best players to take part they have to go to the professional clubs. But from our point of view, we have to manage the situation as well as we can."

Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso is thought to be holding talks with Juventus on Thursday.

The Basque midfielder has found first-team opportunities increasingly limited at Anfield and the club need to raise funds to make signings over the summer.

Juve president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said in the Liverpool Daily Post: "We can't deny that we're interested, but there's always the problem of getting value for money.

"Jean-Claude Blanc (general manager) is working on this and on other possibilities."