New Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has met with both Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to discuss their futures and is confident neither will be moving from Anfield this summer. Hodgson also confirmed he will seek talks with star striker Fernando Torres when the World Cup is over.
Hodgson met with Gerrard and Carragher at Melwood just hours after being officially announced as the new Anfield supremo and was very pleased at the positive nature of the talks. Speaking to LFC Weekly, he said:
“I think they went splendidly, I was very happy to meet the players and, of course, Kenny who I already know so well.
“I was delighted to see how positive they are. Everybody is looking forward to the new season.”
He added: “Obviously Steven and Jamie are the playing heartbeat of the club and it’s very important we keep people like that with us.
Hodgson went on to suggest Liverpool are bracing themselves for bids for Gerrard amid speculation that Jose Mourinho is keen to take the England midfielder to Madrid this summer, but is confident he can hold on to his captain.
“I anticipate there might be a situation where other big clubs will try and sign Steven, but he gave no indication that he wanted to leave.
“Nobody at the club wants him to go so I will be doing my utmost to make sure he stays. I am confident he will.”
Hodgson is also keen to hold talks with Spanish striker Torres who is still competing at the World Cup after his team reached the final last night with a 1-0 victory over Germany. His manager is aware of speculation linking him with a move away from Anfield and understands the concern of the Liverpool fans, but insists he will do all he can to keep Torres on Merseyside.
“Fernando is a wonderful striker and I understand the fans’ concerns about his future,” he said.
“Unfortunately with the World Cup still on, I won’t be able to meet him face to face for another few weeks. That’s just circumstance and you won’t hear me complaining about it.
“When I do meet him, I will be doing everything I possibly can to convince him that Liverpool is the place to be.
“If he sees progress, I am confident that he won’t want to go anywhere else. I think he understands the club and the city.”
