Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits it's crucial they secure midfielder Javier Mascherano to a permanent deal.

Benitez said: "We are working together on a lot of issues and we just have to wait. I have confidence he will stay with us.

"Mascherano gives us balance and allows the others to play their own game. It's really important for players like Torres that they can go forward and sometimes forget they need to defend."