Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez has played down reports that Javier Mascherano could leave Anfield this summer. The Argentina captain has been the subject of an approach from and as yet unnamed club, but despite Mascherano himself hinting that he would be prepared to consider his future, Benítez is adamant that he will be staying at Liverpool.

"Javier is happy here with the fans, the club and the manager. I have had a very positive conversation with him," Benítez said. "He has already said no to one club, a good side. He wants to stay but he cannot stop big clubs asking about him."

Benítez refused to name the club concerned but it is understood the approach did not come from either Italy or Spain. Mascherano is currently 15 months into a four-year contract and would command a fee that would at least equal the £18.6m Liverpool paid for his services, which would suggest that the approach came from another English club. Benítez feels, however, that interest from other clubs is inevitable for a player of his stature.

"If you are a top-class player, people are always asking about you," he said. "They will know if there are four or five big clubs asking for them and the player would be proud of that. He has tried to be polite and correct. Now I have had a conversation with him and it was very clear he wants to continue to play for us. I do not see this as a big problem.

"The conversation with him was very honest and he was very clear about things. These things happen always in football, clubs all around the world will work like this. It is just part of the situation that exists at the top level. You just have to handle it and work with the situation when it arises."

Benítez also confirmed that central defender Daniel Agger is close to signing a new deal at Anfield.