Masch deal close

Last updated : 29 January 2008 By Al Campbell
Rafael Benitez is confident the Reds can complete the permanent signing of Mascherano before the end of the week.

"It is progressing. Rick Parry has been working on this and Momo Sissoko," said the Spaniard.

"We are working hard on Mascherano and maybe we can say something positive in a few days.

"Really, we don't need to do anything because the player is already with us, it's just got to be finished. If we can finish it now, that would be perfect.

"He is here already and if we don't do anything he can still play for us. But he wants to stay."