LONDON: Javier Mascherano will miss Liverpool’s Champions League qualifier to play in the Olympics.
Boss Rafa Benitez wanted his Argentine hardman, 24, to skip the Games in Beijing.
But the midfield ace has been named in Sergio Batista’s 18-man party along with other high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Juan Roman Riquelme.
Mascherano, who is one of three over-age players, will now miss both legs of the Champions League third-round qualifier on Aug 12 and 27.
Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua, 19, who has signed a new long-term Reds contract, is on Batista’s standby list.
Benitez has completed a deal for Swiss defender Philipp Degen, 25. He has signed from Borussia Dortmund on a four-year contract.
Benitez also hopes to tie up a £7mil deal for Udinese left-back Andrea Dossena, 26.
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