Maxi Rodriguez Poised For Liverpool After Javier Mascherano Talk

Maxi Rodriguez is on the verge of joining Liverpool from Atletico Madrid, after consulting his international captain Javier Mascherano, Goal.com UK understands.

The 29-year-old has been strongly linked with a switch to Anfield, and a source close to the club told Goal.com UK today that the move was "a certainty", following a crucial conversation between the midfielder and Mascherano.

The source said: "Mascherano convinced Rodriguez that he would get first team football if he came to Liverpool with the World Cup coming up this Summer."

It is believed that Rodriguez's agent, Jurgen Milewski, has already held talks with Liverpool about a potential transfer or loan move.

Maxi is out of contract at Atleti this summer, and would be available for a knock-down fee, believed to be around €3 million (£2.7m). Boca Juniors are also thought to be monitoring Maxi's situation, but Rodriguez is said to be keen on linking up with international team mates Mascherana and Emiliano Insua at Liverpool.

And with Liverpool's financial situation known to be prohibitive, such a move would represent good business for all parties.

The player has recently fallen out of favour at Atleti, and was left out by manager Quique Sanchez Flores for Saturday's win over Sevilla, while Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has long been desperate to add a quality wide midfielder to his side, without breaking the bank.

As for Mascherano, Barcelona have long been linked with a move, but Benitez will be confident that the arrival of Maxi may go some way to appeasing the 25-year-old midfielder, who is currently in talks to extend his contract at Anfield beyond 2011.

The news comes as former Reds striker Ian Rush, who has been linked with a coaching role at Anfield, said he hoped Rodriguez would join Liverpool.
 
"If the deal comes off, I’m convinced it will be a fantastic piece of business"  Rush told the Liverpool Echo,  "I have watched Rodriguez plenty of times and there is no disputing he has got star quality.
 
"He is, quite simply, the kind of player we are screaming out for; he’s got pace, is direct, has flair and can deliver terrific crosses from the flanks
 
"There is no doubt the Argentina international would excite fans but, just as importantly, he would give the players already at Anfield a kick up the backside."

Liverpool are likely to be busy this transfer window, with Italian defender Andrea Dossena believed to be on the verge of completing a £4.5 million switch to Napoli, and both Ryan Babel and Andriy Voronin reportedly up for sale as Benitez looks to chop and change a squad that has come in for plenty of criticism after a disappointing start to the season.

Liverpool FC declined to comment. 

Mohammed Bhana and Neil Jones, Goal.com UK