Mascherano set to leave Liverpool

Hodgson was eager to talk to the Argentinian captain after repeated attempts to get in contact were unsuccessful but after Mascherano returned to Liverpool training on Monday, the Inter target has reportedly now been told that he is free to leave the Anfield club if an adequate deal can be reached.

A source close to Mascherano reportedly told ESPNsoccernet: "The talks were extremely amicable. It was all done in a very nice way. Javier made it clear that he wanted to leave a year ago when he had the chance to go to Barcelona.

"He was asked to stay on for one more year, he agreed, so now it is time for him to go. It was all very pleasant and it is now a question of the two clubs who are interested in him making an acceptable offer to Liverpool." 

Hodgson held talks with skipper Steven Gerrard and convinced him to stay, but has failed to convince Mascherano, who now looks likely to rejoin former manager Rafael Benitez at Inter Milan or seal a move to Spanish champions Barcelona.

Hodgson's primary objective now is getting Fernando Torres to commit his future to the Reds.