Rafa: Mascherano set for title tilt despite Barca move upset

RAFAEL BENITEZ insists Javier Mascherano will shrug off the disappointment of his aborted move to Barcelona to help spearhead Liverpool’s title challenge.

The Reds begin their Barclays Premier League campaign against Tottenham tomorrow and Benitez is relieved to be able to call upon Argentina captain Mascherano for the match, having lost fellow midfield lynchpin Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.

While Alonso was eventually granted his dream £30million (€34.8m) move to Spain, Mascherano was told he would not be leaving Anfield despite expressing his preference for a switch to Barcelona.