Liverpool's unsettled Argentinian midfielder Javier Mascherano has dealt the struggling club yet another blow by refusing to entertain the idea of extending his contract at Anfield.

It's hardly the news that any Reds fan will want to hear with the club in the middle of their worst run in decades, and the small matter of Manchester United at home next on the agenda, but there appears to be further problems in the red half of Merseyside.

Yes, the man long rumoured to be a top target for European Champions Barcelona - Javier Mascherano - has refused point blank to discuss a new deal that would keep him at the club for the foreseeable future.

Having shunned the chance to spend big over the summer, under-fire boss Rafael Benitez has opted to secure his star names on new, lucrative, long-term deals, as he bids to bring a first league title to Anfield in 20 years.

Indeed, the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt have all penned new contracts to remain with the Merseyside outfit on a long-term basis.

But as speculation mounts that Barca are readying a swoop for the combative international, Mascherano has ruled out even discussing the prospect of a new contract. He insists that money is no draw for him, and so the rumoured £90,000 a week deal that's on the table seemingly holds no sway.

“I have never asked for a new contract. I already have a contract with Liverpool. I don’t play football for the money. I play for me to win. Obviously I will not play for free.

"But at this moment the money is not the most important thing for me. I have talked with Rafa over the summer but nothing has happened.

“I am a professional and I have to think about Liverpool.”