Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is unconcerned that he has not yet heard from Javier Mascherano this summer.
Reds boss not worried about lack of contact
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is unconcerned that he has not yet heard from Javier Mascherano this summer.
The Argentinian midfielder is still on holiday after reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup in South Africa, and is not due to return to pre-season training for another week.
Mascherano has been strongly linked with a move to Serie A club Inter Milan, to be reunited with former Reds boss Rafa Benitez who switched to the San Siro in June.
Reports have suggested that the 26-year-old has fallen off Hodgson's radar, but the new Liverpool boss is not worried that he has not yet heard from the player.
"He doesn't need to make contact with me," he said.
"I've made contact with him telling him I'm looking forward to seeing him in training when he returns from his holiday but I did make the point in the voicemail that I didn't expect him to contact me.
"I just wanted him to know that I had been in touch and that I was thinking of him.
"I didn't ask him to call me back. I don't have a lot to say to him, to be honest, other than 'Welcome back'."
Strengthen
One area that Liverpool are looking to strengthen is left-back, following the imminent departure of Emiliano Insua to Fiorentina and the release of Fabio Aurelio at the end of last season.
Hodgson admits that is a priority, and revealed that Insua will join the Viola once he agrees personal terms.
"We are short and that is going to be one of the priorities," added the former Fulham manager.
"We need to find a replacement for Emiliano and Fabio. That is one job we will have to do.
"As far as we understand, the deal (for Insua) has been completed between the clubs and his agent is sorting out personal terms.
"Maybe it was the right time for him to move on."
