Hodgson talks will have to wait, says Torres

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres says he will not discuss his club future with new Reds manager Roy Hodgson until after the World Cup.

Torres is currently in South Africa preparing for Spain’s semi-final with Germany on Wednesday but Liverpool fans are eager for news on whether he intends to commit himself to the Anfield club.

Hodgson, who was named as Liverpool’s new boss last week, said keeping Torres and club captain Steven Gerrard at the club were his top priorities, but the Spaniard says he is only thinking about his international responsibilities at the moment.

“I was happy he (Hodgson) got the job,” Torres said.

“I haven?t had a chat with him yet but I will talk with him soon and we will see his ideas about the future.

“For now, my future is here. South Africa and the World Cup is too important to think about things after that.

“I have a very important week still here and after that I will have time to talk with him and talk about my future.”

Hodgson, 62, was drafted in to replace Rafael Benitez after leading modest Fulham to the final of the Europa League last season and Torres believes he has the right credentials for the job.

“He did really well at Fulham and I am sure he can do better for Liverpool,” he said. “He is a very good manager. He showed that in the past and in the last season with Fulham.

“Hopefully he will be the right man to give Liverpool the opportunity to be strong again.”

Benitez, who has since joined Inter Milan, endured a torrid final season at Anfield, as Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League in the group stage and finished a disappointing seventh in the Premier League.

Hodgson’s plans to restore the 18-time English champions to former glories may hinge on his ability to persuade Gerrard and Torres to stay put at the club.

A report in the Daily Mail on Monday suggested Torres could be tempted to join Chelsea or Manchester City, with his agent Jose Antonio Martin quoted as saying he could move to another Premier League club.

Martin later dismissed the story.

“For many months I have not spoken to the England press because their quotes are totally false,” he said, as reported by Sky Sports.

“Now is not the moment to speak about this issue because Torres is focused completely on his work for Spain.”

Torres, who has yet to score at the World Cup, is under contract with Liverpool until 2013.