Masch hoping to sign

The Liverpool midfielder is confident his loan deal can be made permanent this week. The Reds don't have to wait until the transfer window re-opens to make the move permanent as they already hold Mascherano's registration.

"It's not finished yet but I am hoping to stay here. I have a lot of confidence that after the next week I will be able to say, 'Everything is right and I am staying here in Liverpool,'" the Argentinian international told the club's official website.

"We now need to wait. We are very close but we need to talk again next week. I think everything will be okay. I've waited a long time, so I can wait one week more.

"The fans like me and I love the fans. They are great and that's the reason I want to stay here."