Premier League News: Liverpool Manager Roy Hodgson insists Fernando Torres not for sale
The new Liverpool manager, Roy Hodgson, claims that Spanish striker Fernando Torres is not for sale. Following Liverpool’s humiliating 7th place finish in the league last season, the 26 year old Spanish forward has been linked to a big cash move away from the Reds this season. Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City have made their intentions known by bidding for the player. Spanish giants Barcelona are also keen admirers of the forward, and many believe that the Spain international partnership may be experienced in Barcelona. David Villa and Fernando Torres partner each other in Spain, and Barcelona, having already signed Villa from Valencia, may want Torres to make a formidable partnership upfront. Add the likes of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, and one can just imagine what sort of a force Barcelona can truly become.
The manager is aware of the speculations and potential bids for the striker, but has maintained that Torres is not for sale, and is to play for Liverpool for the remainder of his contract. Hodgson has already had a meeting with the Spanish striker, and said that they both had a nice conversation. He added that Torres is a Liverpool player and the club, players and fans wants him to stay a Liverpool man for the rest of his career. Speaking at his team's pre-season training camp, Hodgson said, "I have met with Fernando. He is not for sale and we don't welcome any offers for him. We want to keep him”.
He stated that his conversation with the Liverpool man was cut short as he had to leave for a training camp in Switzerland. He added that they both had a conversation on Football, the World Cup, and his frustrating injury, and told the striker that he was looking forward to working with him at the club. The managing director of the club was also present at the meeting, and also had a chat with Torres on various topics. Liverpool officials paid a visit to the striker in Spain, to assess the situation of the injury he sustained in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final. Torres is reported to suffer from a slight tear in the adductor muscle, while he was chasing the ball in the dying moments of Spain’s glorious victory over the Netherlands, and doctors expect the striker to be out for three weeks.
This means that Liverpool will be without Torres in the pre-season campaign. He, however, would’ve been on holiday even if he was fit, owing to the World Cup. Liverpool, however, expect the striker to be fit to play their opening match against Arsenal on 15th August at home, provided he stays a Liverpool player till then.
Hodgson may also be having headaches whilst striving to keep his other key players at the club. Club captain Steven Gerrard has been linked to a move to Real Madrid, while Argentina Captain Mascherano is expected to join his former Liverpool boss, Rafa Benitez, at Inter Milan. The pair is yet to start the pre-season training, which fuels more conjecture.
However, Hodgson is unconcerned with the speculations, claiming that they are only rumours. He added that he has already had a talk with club captain Steven Gerrard, and the response from the player was positive. He added that owing to the disastrous last season, many believe that their players are about to leave the club, but termed all such talks as plain rumours. He added that there is not a single club that is in pursuit of Gerrard, and said that he made it very clear to the Gerrard that he was not for sale. He claimed that he clarified to the club captain that he aims to retain his key players as the team starts their rebuilding process to reinstate Liverpool back to its (once) glorious position. He also claimed that he has sent numerous voice and text messages to Mascherano but is yet to receive a reply. He, however, expected him to reply as he believes the player would be on a vacation to Argentina. He stated that he just wants to make it clear to him that he wants to meet the player, whenever and wherever he wants.
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