Hodgson expects Gerrard stay after intitial talks
LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson has declared himself confident Steven Gerrard will stay at Anfield after holding talks with the unsettled captain for the first time.
Gerrard, 30, is wanted by Real Madrid and is thought to be weighing up his future after more than a decade at Liverpool.
But Hodgson, who succeeded Rafael Benitez as manager last week, has made it his priority to hold onto key men Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano, and has been encouraged by his initial soundings.
“Obviously Steven and Jamie are the playing heartbeat of the club and it’s very important we keep people like that with us,” said the well-travelled former Fulham boss.
“I anticipate there might be a situation where other big clubs will try to sign Steven but
he gave no indication that 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.”
Hodgson has not had a chance to talk to Torres due to his continued involvement at the World Cup, but hopes the Spain striker will buy into his vision.
He added: “If he sees progress I am confident that he won’t want to go anywhere else.”
Serbia striker Milan Jovanovic yesterday became the first arrival of Hodgson’s tenure when the 29-year-old completed a free transfer from Standard Liege.