Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has pledged his future to the club and expects a new contract to be signed "in the next few weeks." Securing the Argentina captain and goalkeeper Jose Reina on extended deals has been a priority of manager Rafael Benitez.

With Reina close to finally concluding the deal it appears Mascherano will not be far behind him. Said Mascherano, who was a reported target for Barcelona in the summer: "The club are talking with my agents. I don't like to be involved in the contract meetings, so I leave that to my agents and the people at the club. Liverpool know I want to stay. I don't think it will be difficult to arrive at a deal and we will see what happens in the next few weeks."

I don't think it will be difficult to arrive at a deal and we will see what happens in the next few weeks
Javier Mascherano, Liverpool

Benitez has always been confident the 25-year-old would extend his stay at Anfield despite speculation to the contrary. And the player sees his future at Anfield. "I have never said I was not happy at Liverpool. That was the press," said Mascherano, who has been one of the more consistent performers for the Reds in a disappointing season.

"I am happy here and the only way I can show that is with my performances on the pitch. I always try to do everything I can to help my team-mates and manager. Sometimes I can do well and sometimes I can't, but I always look to give 100 per cent in training and in games."