Mascherano Out, Poulsen In at Liverpool
With Javier Mascherano likely to leave Liverpool in the current transfer window, manager Roy Hodgson may choose to bring in Juventus' Christian Poulsen as a replacement.
Mascherano is said to be ready to join his former manager Rafael Benitez at Italian champions Inter Milan. Benitez left Liverpool earlier this summer.
The Argentine made 91 league appearances for Liverpool during Benitez' reign as manager.
With his defensive qualities, particularly his positioning deep in midfield, Mascherano has proven his worth for club and national team. He has made 61 appearances for Argentina since 2003.
Despite the transfer speculation surrounding them, key duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have recently declared their loyalty to Liverpool, signaling that they will stay with the club under the new manager.
But according to Hodgson, who spoke to Sky Sports this week, Mascherano's departure seems more likely.
“If a big offer comes in for him and it is a club that he wants to go to, I think that will be harder," he said at the prospect of keeping the midfielder at the club.
Going Scandinavian, Again
With Mascherano's departure set to leave a gap in the Liverpool squad, the club's new manager has been scoping the market for players to take over the defensive midfield role.
Hodgson, who has a long history in Scandinavian football, may opt for a Danish player to replace Mascherano.
Juventus' Christian Poulsen, coached by Hodgson at FC Copenhagen ten years ago, is said to be wanted by his former boss.
Speaking to Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet, Hodgson admitted that Poulsen would suit his needs.
"Christian is a player I know well, a player whose career I actually kick-started many years ago and I have followed him closely ever since," said Hodgson. "If we can sign him from Juventus at a price I consider reasonable, he will be a very good player to bring into our team."
Poulsen's agent, Jorn Bonnesen, confirmed that the player is in talks with Liverpool on Thursday.
Known for his aggressive playing style and defensive capabilities in midfield, Poulsen has played for Juventus in Italy, Sevilla in Spain and German club Schalke 04 since leaving FC Copenhagen in 2002.
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