Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano met up with new manager Roy Hodgson for the first time on Monday morning after returning to pre-season training.
The Argentina captain has been uncontactable since going on holiday after the World Cup but was back at Melwood on schedule along with compatriot Maxi Rodriguez.
Hodgson tried to speak to the 26-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a summer reunion with former Reds boss Rafael Benitez at Inter Milan, following the end of the player's involvement in South Africa.
However, the 62-year-old Englishman was only able to leave messages for Mascherano telling him he was looking forward to meeting him back on Merseyside as his calls were not returned.
Hodgson will outline his plans to Mascherano in much the same way as he has already done to senior players Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres in an attempt to persuade him he has a future at Anfield.
But there still remains a nagging doubt that the combative midfielder, who was offered a new contract in the latter stages of last season, has set his sights on a move to the continent.
Neither Mascherano nor Rodriguez will be available for Thursday's Europa League third qualifying round first leg tie against Rabotnicki in Macedonia.
However, Hodgson admits he may have to field a number of his other World Cup stars earlier than he would have liked.
The club's medical staff have warned their manager bringing the likes of Gerrard, Carragher, Glen Johnson, new signing Jole Cole and Daniel Agger back too soon may have dire effects later in the season.
Unfortunately, a largely reserve side has failed to score in two pre-season friendlies and Hodgson admits he may not be able to afford to take the risk of not using senior players.
"I don't know what to do at this stage," he said.
"I will have to liaise with them and (head of sports science) Peter Brukner and make a decision by Tuesday on what sort of team I can put out.
"I can promise the Liverpool fans we will put out the best possible team, without compromising the future.
"It is going to be a difficult discussion between myself and Peter because his feeling is we shouldn't use any of them and I am going to be tempted to say I want to use quite a few of them.
"The only players I will take will be the ones that I definitely think will play a valuable part in the game.
"If we are talking about senior players, it would be players prepared to start the game.
"I would not take Steven Gerrard there to play for the last 10 minutes as a substitute."
One senior player who will be available is midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who sat out Saturday's friendly defeat to Kaiserslautern with a knee problem.
"Peter Brukner told me he ran for the first time on Saturday so I would expect him to be fit for Thursday," added Hodgson.
Your Comments
neeker
""Aquilani ran for the first time on Saturday." What an achievement for him. "
rootslfc
"seems like woy has a problem with the new sports science guy ...keeps on bleating about it...he is already playing down expectations...why cant he operate in the same conditions that rafa did e.g win the league and Europe, yet under woy all we have to do is get 4th
then again maybe we should lower the bar a bit ...he is english ...which is about the only reason i can see for his appointment(and the probability of not rocking the boat)
look woy ...you have no choice you are at LFC ...you have to do well in Europe as well as the league no excuses ...we need the money and its the only way to draw TOP players ...there just isn't enough gifted skillful English and Scandinavian players to fill the squad!!!
btw don't be surprised that we don't score many goals at all and that the football will be uninspiring...don't believe me ? just look at his career or just look at last seasons rip roaring goalscoring attacking fulham LOL"
Lucas04
"I'm a fan of Masch - he's a workhorse infront of the back 4, and tackles like a demon. But his passing's pretty average, and there are better in his position, and plenty who're just as good. I'd be very happy for him to stay, but if a price of anywhere near 25mil came in, I hope the club cashes in. In my opinion Gerrard should play in this deep midfield role - he's a great tackler, can launch long-balls, and can get forward and score too. Although he's a Manc, Roy Keane was the finest I've ever seen in this position, and Stevie has all the attributes to be just as good for Liverpool there. Then put Cole and Aquilani ahead of Gerrard, and get some decent wingers and a left-back!"
steffer
"dtm 1973...what a player Hamann was for pool...one of its most loyal servers....did his job and then some more...a true legend....and my word didnt he score a couple of crackers....thats the sort this LFC were built on...if u ask me,think we should take a chance of Prince Boateng from pompey...saw him at the cup and he was pretty damn good.. and he's cheap...."
meatandoneveg
"dtm1973, Didi was a great player, no doubt. But I think you'll find he was basically at the end of his career when he was with us. That's why he didn't 'moan about leaving'. frankly, some fellow LFC fans are getting a bit embarassing with their "Masch isn't such a great player, anyway" now that he might be leaving. Either they're bullsh***ing now, or they were bullsh***ing when they agreed he was great. I'm disappointed that he might be leaving, but it doesn't mean I have to throw my own brain and/or self-respect out od the window. Same about the manager who's just left us. Pull your socks up lads, no wonder other fans laugh at us."
gab1965
"If anyone was to leave the squad this summer, I hope it is Mascherano. Based on his price, compared to the likes of Lucas, I'd happily see him go. But, seeing as he cost us around 16 million, he would have to fetch at least 25 million now at today's rates. I agree with lfctrev, get Remy and Van der Vaart and move on Kuyt and Masherano. There should still be enough for a couple of players to compete for the left back slot. The team's problem has been creating, not defending, so losing those two for two attacking players would help the balance of the side. But if they cannot beat a Macedonian Europa league side without Gerrard and co, they might as well go out of the competition now. Lucas, Aquilani, N'gog may not be the best, but should have enough experience between them to help put this type of team out. I've been impressed with Woy so far, but this bleating about the Europa League and player's at his disposal is going a bit far. Seems as if other clubs have already had their stars lining up to train and play. And the England players have not kicked a ball for over 4 weeks. Some might say it has been longer than that! "
sibeer
"Come on Masch, you know you want to give the new manager a chance. If not then be honest about it and let us try to grab top dollar for you.
I for one though would love to see him operate as a lone defensive mid, get Gerrard back in the middle to bring a bit of passing ability back after Alonso and then play Cole off Torres. "
dtm1973
"Id sell Masch for 25Mill if Roy got the funds to put into the team. Personally I don't think he's a good a holding midfielder as some people make out. As an LFC fan Didi Hamann was twice the player and you never heard him moaning about leaving"
Rupzzz
"I hope Masch is straight with Hodgson when they actually sit down and talk. A lot of people are saying he's off, however I think there is still a decent chance he will stay. Yes he didn't contact Roy over his holiday, but to be honest who wants to speak to their boss on holiday. I know I would hit the ignore button if my boss tried calling me while I was off! If he goes, then so be it. Can cash in on him, sign Van Der Vaart and a left back. Give Kuyt and Masch to Inter I say and get Remy in too if possible."
lfctrev
"Play the reserve side in the first leg, hoping to overturn any negative result in the 2nd leg by bringing back some of the players then...."
All comments on this story