Liverpool are ready to hand Javier Mascherano a bumper pay-hike to keep him away from Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The Sun says Mascherano, 25, earns around £30,000 a week and has three years on his Anfield contract so manager Benitez is under no pressure to cash in now.

His position has also been strengthened by the fact Liverpool's owners claim they have agreed an extension to their £350m refinancing loan.

However, Benitez is aware he will have to bring the player's wages into line with the rest of Liverpool's big earners.

Despite being one of the world's top holding midfielders, Mascherano is also one of the poorest paid first-team regulars.