Hodgson not worries by Mascherano silence
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson insists he is not concerned that he has not heard from Javier Mascherano since trying to contact the midfielder last week.
The Argentina captain is still on holiday after his World Cup exploits and is not due to return for pre-season training for another week.
However, having met with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to talk about his plans and their futures Hodgson was keen to speak to Mascherano, who still remains the most likely of the trio to leave this summer.
The 26-year-old has been linked with a reunion with former Reds boss Rafael Benitez at Inter Milan, but Hodgson has not yet had an opportunity to sell his vision of a new era at Anfield as phone calls to South America have gone unanswered.
However, the Liverpool boss is not worried by the situation.
“He doesn’t need to make contact with me,” said the 62-year-old.
“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’.”
With defender Emiliano Insua’s transfer to Fiorentina nearing completion Hodgson is keen to find a replacement as soon as possible.
The Argentinian’s departure, combined with the release of Fabio Aurelio at the end of the season, means the club do not have a recognised left-back.
“We are short and that is going to be one of the priorities,” added Hodgson.
“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.”
With Hodgson acknowledging there needs to be more progress from the club’s academy to the first team, as well as the need to have greater English representation in his squad, Insua’s departure could create an opportunity for teenager Jack Robinson.
The 16-year-old was given his Premier League debut by Benitez in the final match of last season at Hull and he has now flown to the club’s Switzerland training camp after recovering from injury.
