Football FanCast guest columnist Dan Walker bemoans the Olympic call up of Javier Mascherano and feels it is a massive blow for Rafa Benitez.

Rafa Benitez can be called many things in this world but ‘lucky' is certainly not one of them. Never has a manager had to endure so many knocks and setbacks than the Spaniard has in the last few years and it's clear after today's announcement that they have no intention of stopping.

I don't think there is a Liverpool fan that doesn't accept the importance of next season to Rafa Benitez. His brief is simple in that he has to deliver some silverware or it will likely see his departure. It is now or never for the Spaniard and I'm sure news of Mascherano and his likely replacement Lucas are being called up by their respective countries was about as welcome as a fart in an elevator.

I have to admit that I am not the greatest Olympian and find the whole four weeks extremely depressing, but the fact we are losing, in my opinion our player of the season only adds to my annoyance. I don't want to see like I'm begrudging Javier a chance to represent his nation, but it is hardly the most competitive of competitions. If we are going to challenge for the title this season then we need our best players from the off, not ones who will return in September; with undoubted fatigue and likely injury and most importantly a lack of pre-season training with his teammates ahead of the new campaign.

I'm certain that Rafa Benitez will be fuming inside, especially as Javier was chosen as one of three over 23s that were called up, while Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez was retained; once again the cruel hand of fate points its way at Rafa and he must wonder what he has ever done to deserve this.

One thing that today's new would have achieved, given that Lucas is likely to travel to Beijing is that the move Gareth Barry will be a certainty and probably rushed through ahead of next week's return to pre season.