Mascherano Beijing-bound

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has been named in Argentina’s Olympic squad.

Club manager Rafael Benitez had expressed concerns about losing such an important player for up to a month from late July and had hoped Mascherano, as an over-age player, would opt not to compete.

But the 24-year-old has been named in Sergio Batista’s 18-man party along with other high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Juan Roman Riquelme.

It means Mascherano will miss both legs of the Champions League third round qualifier on August 12 and 27.

Liverpool youngster Emiliano Insua – who yesterday signed a new long-term contract with the Reds – will remain on Batista’s standby list.

Mascherano, Riquelme and Inter Milan defender Nicolas Burdisso are Argentina’s three over-age players.

Argentina will travel to Tokyo to play a friendly against Japan on July 29 before going on to Beijing.