Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has confirmed that he expects Javier Mascherano and Jose Reina to sign new contracts before the end of the season.
Argenina midfielder Mascherano was reported to have held talks with Barcelona last summer and there has been speculation that he had agreed a deal which would see him join the Spanish outfit at the end of this season.
Spanish keeper Reina has been involved in negotiations with Liverpool for a number of months, but it was recently speculated that the goalkeeper was unhappy with his club’s poor form.
Benitez, though, is confident the pair will agree new deals within the next two months.
The Spaniard said of Mascherano: “I was talking with him and his agent the other day and it is true Javier is happier.
“The conversations were very positive. When you talk with Javier he is very settled and happy.
“Everyone knew about some clubs (being interested in him) but talking with us he was fine.”
Asked if a deal would be struck before the end of the season, Benitez added: “I think so.”
The Spaniard also said that Reina’s commitment to a new deal was not in doubt.
“Pepe (Reina) is another key player and it is 100% he will continue with us,” Benitez said.
“Everything is very close. I think we will have news about Reina and Mascherano very soon.”
