Wantaway midfielder Mascherano has been linked with Inter Milan and Barcelona, with reports circulating on Monday night that the Catalans had submitted a derisory £12million bid. As a result, the 26-year-old was left out of Liverpool's squad for the Premier League match against Manchester City at Eastlands because Hodgson did not believe the Argentina captain was in the right frame of mind - and not because he refused to play. "Hopefully matters will be resolved before the end of the transfer window and I'll be able to pick him again," said the Reds boss on Sky Sports. "I don't know where he is tonight but he's not here with us. "There is some speculation about his future and at the moment his mind is not right and it was not right to select him." Hodgson has previously admitted the club have told Mascherano that he can leave providing they receive the right offer - honouring an agreement the player struck 12 months ago when Barca first expressed their interest. However, they will not allow a player they bought from West Ham for £18million three and a half years ago to leave on the cheap, even if the situation descends into a stand-off between player and club. "Until an offer matches our valuation, he will stay with us," Hodgson said. After the game, Hodgson told Sky Sports 1: "It will get resolved as quickly as it can get resolved. "I'd like him to stay, I don't want to sell him." Of the fee, the former Fulham boss added: "It is up to the clubs to sort it out. "I am hoping Javier Mascherano will still play for us because he is such a good player."
