Not for the first time Rafa has revealed that Javier Mascherano is closing in on signing a new contract with Liverpool. Pepe Reina's extension is all but done, with the Spaniard expressing a desire to see out the remainder of his career with the club, and the midfielder is set to follow suit in committing his future to the Reds.

The Reds Boss admits that a few details need to be ironed out however a deal is getting closer for a key outfield player in our side to extend his stay on Merseyside, as Rafa explained:

'We were talking, progressing and we're closer now. Still we need to talk a little bit but we are closer.

'It would be very important for the club. We have some important players with some years left on their contracts and this could be another one. It's very important that we're keeping the spine of the team.

'Every fan knows he's a very important player for us, a key player who's good for team spirit. He's an example for a lot of players.

'He shows every game his commitment, desire and passion. He has great character, but he can also play. He's a player every manager would like to have in their team.'

The 25 year old is one of the best, most likely the best, players of his type in Europe (possibly even the World) so it's very important that we can get this contract extension agreed as quickly as possible and all being well this will be the case before the end of the season and Masch's involvement in the World Cup with Argentina.