Aldridge looks at the positives
Javier Mascherano
Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge believes the club have to take what positives they can from the Javier Mascherano saga.
The Argentina captain was left out of the squad for Monday night's 3-0 Barclays Premier League defeat to Manchester City because manager Roy Hodgson said he had been affected by a bid from Barcelona.
"There is no real panic for me but it is important to sort out the Mascherano thing," said Aldridge. "Then Roy can get a few players in, two proper players for what you get [for Mascherano] and let's hope he can do that."
He added: "But only he (Hodgson) knows what he's got to spend."
Any chance Hodgson had of spending new funds from a takeover have disappeared as there will be no new owners in place before the close of the transfer window.
However, after Chinese businessman Kenny Huang pulled out of the running last week it appears another, as yet unnamed party, is seriously considering an offer.
Renowned deal-broker Keith Harris claims an overseas buyer is weighing up a bid of between £400million and £500million.
The former Football League chairman, who has had a hand in the sales of Aston Villa, West Ham and Manchester City in the past, said due diligence has already been done.
Harris also said the party he was representing was not one mentioned publicly before.
"The overseas buyer we represent has completed due diligence. A huge amount of work has been done," he said. "It is none of the groups mentioned in the press. The ball is now in our client's court to make an offer."
Press Association
