ROY HODGSON is confident Steven Gerrard will resist the lure of Real Madrid and stay with Liverpool this summer following his first meeting with the club’s captain.
The new Liverpool manager, who was joined at Anfield by the Serbia international striker Milan Jovanovic yesterday, met Gerrard and vice-captain Jamie Carragher within hours of his unveiling last week to outline his vision for the club. Hodgson’s first task is to convince Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano not to leave Liverpool after last season’s regression despite, as he conceded last week, being unable to provide guarantees over the club’s financial future.
Gerrard was touted as Jose Mourinho’s main transfer target before the World Cup but Real Madrid have yet to follow up their interest with an official bid. Hodgson, however, is confident of keeping the 30-year-old at Anfield even if the dilemma of a move to the Bernabeu materialises.
Hodgson, who has also discussed a proposed head of football development role with Kenny Dalglish, revealed: “I think they (the talks) went splendidly. I was very happy to meet the players and, of course, Kenny who I already know so well. I was delighted to see how positive they are. Everybody is looking forward to the new season.
“Obviously, Steven and Jamie are the playing heartbeat of the club and it’s very important we keep people like that with us. I anticipate there might be a situation where other big clubs will try and sign Steven, but he gave no indication he wanted to leave. Nobody at the club wants him to go, so I will be doing my utmost to make sure he stays. I am confident he will.”
Spain’s progress to the World Cup final has prevented Hodgson meeting Torres in person, although the Liverpool manager plans to visit the Chelsea transfer target in Spain after the tournament. Barcelona and Manchester City are also interested in the 26-year-old but it is Roman Abramovich’s club who pose the greatest threat to Liverpool’s aims of keeping Torres.
Hodgson added: “Fernando is a wonderful striker and I understand the fans’ concerns about his future. Unfortunately, with the World Cup still on, I won’t be able to meet him face to face for another few weeks . . . When I do meet him I will be doing everything I possibly can to convince him Liverpool is the place to be. If he sees progress I am confident he won’t want to go anywhere else. I think he understands the club and the city.”
Another Liverpool World Cup finalist, Dirk Kuyt, has said he wishes to remain at Anfield, despite talk of a reunion with his former manager Rafael Benitez at Internazionale.
Jovanovic, the Serbian striker, became the first signing of the Hodgson era yesterday when he penned a three-year contract. The 29-year-old reached a pre-contract agreement with Benitez and Liverpool in January. His contract at Standard Liege expired on June 30th, but he was linked with other clubs after the Spaniard’s departure.
Wesley Sneijder has pledged his future to Internazionale despite Manchester United declaring an interest in luring the Dutchman to the Premier League, with the Italian and European champions confident of securing him to new terms at San Siro. Sneijder said: “My goal is to be as successful next year with the new coach.”
Owen Hargreaves faces a battle to save his career after suffering an injury setback, United manager Alex Ferguson revealed last night. The midfielder, who has been blighted by knee injuries over the past two years, will miss the start of the season. The 29-year-old had hoped to get his career back on track having returned to pre-season training ahead of United’s tour to North America.
Guardian Service
