Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has called on Javier Mascherano to improve his scoring record.

Benitez wants Mascherano and others to keep trying their luck from outside the box.

The boss told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Since the first day when we signed Javier we've talked about goals because he's not bad at shooting from outside the box. He can do well on this, so he has to keep trying. If he does, he'll score more goals.

"He tries in training. He doesn't score too many when you compare it to Gerrard but still it's a good and a different option for us. For everyone, if you're at the edge of the box you have to try. It doesn't matter what position you play - if you're a centre-back or left-back or midfielder, you must try.

"The main thing is to try. You might get a deflection. For me, Mascherano's goal was a deflection, not an own goal."