Hodgson promises Torres stay amidst United interest

(GSM) – Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that is well aware of Manchester United intentions of swooping for Fernando Torres as a replacement for Wayne Rooney.

However, the Reds boss has promised he would do his utmost to keep the Spanish star at Anfield.

England striker Rooney is on his way out of United following his refusal to sign a new contract at Old Trafford, citing the club’s lack of ambition and failure to sign new players.

If United sell Rooney to a club such as Real Madrid, Manchester City or Chelsea for a handsome fee, Sir Alex Ferguson could conceivably look at Torres as potential replacement.

Torres, like Rooney, has been well below his best this season. United could be willing to gamble that a change of scenery would bring out Torres’ best, a situation Hodgson is reluctantly contemplating.

“I am not naive enough to think there is no danger we will ever lose a player like Fernando Torres,” Hodgson said. “I can only hope we won’t and I will make certain I do everything in my power to keep him happy at the club, help him improve his current form and to get him playing for Liverpool as he has in the past.”

Asked about the possible threat of a United bid he added: “I think I’d have to say we’d cross that bridge when we come to it. I am pretty sure when a great player like Wayne Rooney is looking to leave his club Manchester United will be in a position to target an awful lot of players around the world.

“I don’t think Fernando Torres would be the only player they will be targeting or [we would be] the only club worried their star striker is going to be a target. They will have the opportunity to replace him with many star strikers around the world, so all I can say is I am not naive to the situation.”