 Mascherano is a vital member of Liverpool's side |
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has been named in Argentina's squad for the Olympic Games in August. The 24-year-old is one of the three overage players allowed in the Under-23 squad for the Games in Beijing. Mascherano will now miss the start of the Reds' season, including both legs of their Champions League third-round qualifier on 12 and 27 August. He is joined in the 18-man squad by Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero. Mascherano's absence will be a blow for Reds boss Rafael Benitez as the Argentine has developed into a crucial member of his side in the holding midfield role.  | 606: DEBATE |
Benitez is also set to have problems replacing Mascherano as fellow midfielder Lucas Leiva is expected to play for Brazil at the Games. Liverpool's young left-back Emiliano Insua is on Argentina's standby list and could also be called up. Argentina, who also have Juan Roman Riquelme in their squad, will travel to Tokyo to play a friendly against Japan on 29 July before going on to Beijing.
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?