ROY HODGSON has revealed Christian Purslow, Liverpool’s former managing director, handed him a list of players to sell in the summer and believes the team’s recent improvement stems from his decision to ignore the businessman’s advice.

The Liverpool manager did not disclose the names on the list of expendables as he gave an indication of the extent of boardroom interference at Anfield prior to October’s takeover by New England Sports Ventures. However, Hodgson’s admission came as he heralded the influence of the likes of Lucas Leiva, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, David Ngog and even Ryan Babel on recently enhanced performances.

“I got a list from Christian,” said Hodgson. “He had been here for just over a year and was a big fan of the club as well as being managing director. He had very strong opinions about lots of players and he gave lots of opinions about them. I listened but I made it perfectly clear that I wouldn’t act on it. To some extent, he was saying what a lot of other people might have done. But now when he rings or texts me, to be fair, he says what a good job (that) we didn’t do the things that had been suggested.

“There are still areas of the squad where we are not so rich. If we hit a couple of bad spells with injury we could be in trouble. I’m not certain our depth is what it should be and we certainly don’t have the depth of Tottenham, Chelsea or Arsenal.”

Liverpool’s owners are engaged in a search for a replacement for Purslow, who left the club within days of the takeover, and Hodgson admits NESV faces a dilemma in January over whether to spend in a difficult transfer window to enhance the prospects of qualifying for Europe.

The manager added: “If they want to invest a lot of money, it is up to them. If we find the right players, I am not going to say to them: ‘Don’t do it.’ I’m not that stupid. With the change that has gone on at the club, it would be sensible for the new owners to be circumspect. I don’t think it would be a bad thing for us to keep testing out this squad of players.”