Roy Hodgson: “Mascherano wants to go, but Torres wants to stay”
Not even the official unveiling of free transfer signing Joe Cole – arguably the most inspired piece of business that his new club have done in years – could stop the difficult questions for Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson this afternoon.
After new signings Cole, Milan Jovanović and Danny Wilson were introduced to the media at Anfield, the new Reds boss was deluged with requests for information on the futures of two of his more established stars. In his typical honest, forthright manner, he delivered some mixed news.
In truth, his revelation that Javier Mascherano – linked with moves to Inter Milan and Barcelona all summer long – wants to leave would hardly have surprised supporters, but Hodgson’s reaction to midfielder’s plea was refreshing.
“He wants to leave the club,” the 62-year-old told the Anfield press conference. “He’s made that perfectly clear.
“I think he wanted to leave a year ago and he wants to leave now. But he's contracted to Liverpool Football Club, so whether he leaves or not is our decision. The mere fact that the player is a little bit unhappy with his situation and would prefer to leave doesn't necessarily mean he will leave. It disappoints me but it's not unusual. In every football club in the Barclays Premier League - and in the world - there will be players that would prefer to leave their team. Some are allowed to, some aren't.
“So that's the situation. Mascherano is a Liverpool player, he has a two year contract and I expect him to honour that until the day comes when the club decides to accept an offer for his services.”
Simple as that then, and Hodgson was just as frank with his views on that other Liverpool player who has been hogging the gossip columns this summer, Fernando Torres.
“As far as I know, he's looking forward to coming back here on Monday,” said the former Fulham boss.
“He's enjoying a holiday – which is a well-deserved break – he's spending a lot of time with his family and as far as I know, he's keeping a very low level and not really speaking to anyone. But he has told us that he's looking forward to Monday, looking forward to getting back to work and looking forward to playing for Liverpool next season.
“That's what I know so all other reports, I would suggest, are erroneous.”
Whether that will be enough to put the constant “erroneous” rumours of Torres’ departure to either Chelsea or Manchester City to bed remains to be seen – Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti’s insistence last week that he wouldn’t be bidding for him has been largely ignored after all – but Hodgson’s stance is sure to placate Liverpool supporters concerned about the future of their star striker.
As well the arrivals of Cole and company, Hodgson was speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Europa League third qualifying round clash with FK Rabotnicki in Macedonia on Thursday evening, his first competitive match as manager and Liverpool’s first Europa League away game since a cloud of volcanic ash forced them to make a 25-hour trip to Madrid to face Atlético in last season’s semi-final.
Mascherano and Torres were never going to be considered for Thursday’s game due to their World Cup commitments, but while it is looking increasingly likely that supporters will have seen the last of the Argentinian midfield general in a Liverpool shirt, their Spanish striker looks like he’ll be around for some time yet.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
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