Thursday, July 15, 2010

Hodgson Welcomes Torres Sign

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson believes that the sight of Fernando Torres celebrating winning the World Cup by wearing a scarf in the club's colours has given everyone at Anfield a boost.

Chelsea is reportedly waiting in the wings for a possible transfer request from the Spain international when he returns from his post-finals summer holiday.

Torres' future has been the subject of constant speculation and the billionaires at Manchester City are also thought to be monitoring the situation, with boss Roberto Mancini known to be an admirer.

But Hodgson has implied that pictures of the striker wearing a Liverpool scarf as he celebrated winning the World Cup alongside compatriot Jose Reina, after an extra-time win over the Holland of Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel, are a sign of commitment.

The new boss told his club's official website: "As Liverpool manager, I take great pride in the fact that two of our players can call themselves World Cup winners this summer.

"I think it's safe to say the pictures of Fernando in the dressing room with the World Cup certainly went down well with our fans, but the club can be proud of all the players who went away to the World Cup.

"To have four players reach the final is an incredible achievement and I look forward to working with them when they return to Melwood after their holidays."

Meanwhile, Liverpool have announced that young duo Francisco Duran and Nikolay Mihaylov have been released after failing to make an impact at Anfield.

The foreign pair joined the Premier League club in 2007 with bright reputations, however, they could not force a regular place in the first team.

Midfielder Duran, 22, signed from Malaga in the January transfer window, but the former Spain Under 19 international's career with Liverpool was disrupted by injuries and his contract expired earlier this summer.

Goalkeeper Mihaylov arrived from Levski Sofia, but he found his chances limited behind Jose Reina and spent last season on loan at FC Twente, who he has now joined on a permanent basis.

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