Hodgson´s hands tied until ownership settled

Roy Hodgson has said his plans to revive Liverpool’s fortunes are on hold until new owners take over the club.

The Reds boss told the League Managers Association (LMA) official magazine that until Liverpool found a buyer, he would be forced to concentrate on hanging on to the players already at the club.

So far Hodgson has successfully persuaded Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to commit their futures to Anfield, although he was powerless to prevent Javier Mascherano leaving for Barcelona.

“The club is up for sale and nobody knows what direction it will take if and when new owners are found,” Hodgson told the LMA’s The Manager publication.

“A few years ago when the situation was far more stable, the money to buy new players was available.

“I hope the situation will change when the club is eventually sold and owners who are prepared to invest in the club come in.

“When that situation arises I’m pretty sure that it won’t be difficult for us to start achieving things again but at the moment the task is really to hang on to the players we’ve got and make certain we don’t have a situation where we have got a total rebuilding process.”

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Liverpool’s ownership, Hodgson believes that the club can still challenge for silverware.

“… (E)very season we see teams not expected to win titles winning them,” Hodgson said. “It doesn’t always go to the favourite in any country.

“So we should never play down the Liverpool fans’ incredible desire and passion to keep winning trophies — and the Premier League in particular — and keep their noses in front of Manchester United.”