The agreement to keep Mascherano, who joined from West Ham in January, expires at the end of the season. Anfield officials face complicated negotiations with Mascherano's owners MSI, who are likely to demand as much as £17million.

It is quite important because Mascherano has been one of our best players so far," Reina told the Sunday Mirror. "It was a loan, a clever loan, and we have to take the next step, which is to get him for a few years."