Torres news boosts Reds

28 July 2010 08:30
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is keen to bring in more players to bolster his squad but holding on to Fernando Torres is the most pressing target for the new man at the Anfield helm. The 62-year-old Reds boss revealed on Tuesday that the Spain striker had told the club he was looking forward to returning to training next week and playing for the Merseysiders. That does not definitely mean the World Cup winner will remain at Anfield for the forthcoming campaign - especially considering Chelsea and Manchester City are still being linked with a British transfer record bid - but it is the best Hodgson is going to get for now. And with the likely departure of £25million-rated midfielder Javier Mascherano, whom Hodgson confirmed had asked to leave but had not been given permission to do so, the Reds boss may be in a position to bring in the quality signings Torres called for last season. "As far as I know he (Torres) is looking forward to coming back here on Monday," said Hodgson of the 26-year-old Spaniard. "He has told us that he is looking forward to Monday, looking forward to getting back to work and looking forward to playing for Liverpool next season. That is what I know, so other reports, I would suggest, are erroneous."

Source: PA