Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has dismissed suggestions he is trying to sign Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi.

There were claims in Italy yesterday that I Azzurri had been approached by an agent acting as an intermediary for the Reds over a possible £15m deal for the 24 year-old Argentina international.

And the player's advisor Eduardo Rossetto insisted that "Liverpool's proposal is true."

However, Benitez said today: "We never contacted Lavezzi and we have no intention of doing so. We want to put a stop to these rumours."

Liverpool have also reaffirmed their position on Javier Mascherano, who has been linked with Barcelona, insisting the player is not for sale.