Roy Hodgson Wants 'Doom & Gloom' Dispelled From Liverpool

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson wants to change the negative mindset currently at Anfield, but has warned that it will take much more than one or two new faces in the squad to alter the atmosphere at the club.

Joe Cole inked a four-year deal with the Reds this week but Hodgson, currently preparing his squad at their pre-season training camp in Switzerland, feels that hard work is more important than new players at this stage.

"You don't change doom and gloom or disenchantment with a signing or two," the Reds boss told his club's official website.

"Liverpool Football Club has always been famous for the passion of its supporters and the knowledge of its supporters and they know I can't put right the disenchantment with a couple of words or by signing a football player.

"What we can do is hopefully persuade them we are on the right track, that we're trying to get things right again and that we're looking for new investment.

"We know the situation with the owners, the club is for sale and we are trying desperately for the right people to come in and buy the club. In the meantime we are trying our level best to do what we can out here on the training field and on the field of play to get results.

"I can only hope that the people who watch us are aware of the situation, that they have their feet on the ground like we've got our feet on the ground and they give us credit if we deserve any for the efforts we make on the field. I can assure them we will give everything on the field and I will hope to dispel the gloom and the disenchantment in that way."

Hodgson is also cautious when it comes to how long it will take to turn things round at the club after a campaign last season that looked pretty ragged by the end.

"It's not going to be an overnight thing. Last season was a very disappointing season for the club in every respect, culminating in a popular manager leaving," he added.

"You don't dispel that with a couple of signings and I would never want to dupe the Liverpool public by telling them all is rosy now because Joe Cole has signed.

"There's a lot more work to do, a lot more players needed and we as a football team have got to make certain that when we take the field the supporters see there is something different and that we are making the biggest effort we can make. Then we can only hope they back us like they have always backed the club in the past."

Hodgson confirmed that work is ongoing to bring more players to the club, though he admitted that he is working within tight budgetary constraints.

"We don't have the unlimited funds that teams like Manchester City and even Tottenham, to some extent these days, seem to have," he said.

"In this current situation we don't have that. On the other hand some money is being made available and we are doing everything to use that money as sensibly and as intelligently as we can.

"We had quite a good squad of players last season. We've talked about Gerrard, Torres, Reina - these players means there is a certain strength to the team whatever we do. We would like to make some changes. Every manager who comes to a new club would like to make changes, to bring in some fresh players.

"The big thing for me is going to be the atmosphere. We have to get a good atmosphere back into the club. That will come from the training field and from the matches at Anfield.

"We've got to get back the Liverpool atmosphere that I've known and seen and experienced - often to my cost - over the years. We have to get away from the feeling that everything's not right and the club is going downhill because that isn't the case at all."

The Reds face Swiss club Grasshoppers tonight in a friendly which will be Hodgson's first match in charge of the club.

With the majority of his senior players still at home recovering from the World Cup, Hodgson knows that his young team will be tested in Switzerland.

"Realistically, a lot of these players won't take part when we come to the league games because they are players who have come from the reserves and the academy," he explained.

"They are working extremely well and I couldn't be happier with what we're doing, but we're about to play two really tough games with a team which, in my opinion, isn't ready to play against that level of opponent.

"It's a great opportunity for them but my real work in preparing Liverpool Football Club to play next season will begin when I get back to Melwood and find the 13 players who went to the World Cup.

"If you're a young player you're waiting for that chance to get into the first team and show what you can do. These lads are being given a chance earlier than expected and unfortunately they are being given a chance all together.

"What you hope for when you get your chance is that all the big-hitters are around you and they make it a bit easier for you. Here we are throwing them all in together."

Steven Gerrard Delighted To Be Staying With Liverpool FC

Steven Gerrard is itching to lead Liverpool into the new Premier League campaign after reaffirming his commitment to the club.

Liverpool's captain effectively ended all talk about his future yesterday morning when he declared that he was very impressed by Roy Hodgson's plans for the club.

The story, which attracted a huge amount of hits on the ECHO'S website when it was published, increased the feelgood factor among fans, who have been buoyed by the arrival of Joe Cole.

Gerrard can't wait to link-up with his England teammate and believes Cole will give Liverpool's attack an extra dimension.

“It's a great signing for us,” Gerrard enthused.

“I know Joe well through the England set-up and have seen first hand just how good a player he is. He's proved his ability over many years in the Premier League, sometimes against us – so it will be fantastic to play alongside him in a red shirt for Liverpool.”

Fears had been mounting that Gerrard would seek pastures new this summer and Real Madrid were strongly linked with a £30m move for him.

Worries were increased when the respected Spanish newspaper Marca published a three-page feature on Gerrard on June 2 and used mocked up images on him in Real's famous all white kit.

When Marca run a story like that – the translated headline was ‘Gerrard: Hot! Hot!’ – it is usually a sign that Real expect to land their man but, following the signing of Germany international Sami Khedira, the trail went cold.

For his part, it is important to stress that never at any stage did Gerrard insist he was actively seeking a move away from Anfield – he simply stated before going to South Africa with England that he might have to consider his options. But once the World Cup finals were out of the way, Gerrard took the opportunity to clear his mind and enjoy a break with his wife, Alex, and their children in the Mediterranean.

Prior to that, he had a long and frank discussion with Roy Hodgson on the day he was unveiled as Liverpool's new manager and his plans for the future and those talks tipped the balance.

“I made it clear that I simply needed to concentrate on the World Cup and then have a decent holiday with my family,” said Gerrard, who has made 532 appearances for Liverpool.

“I wanted the chance to meet Roy Hodgson privately and having done so I'm very impressed with his plans for the future of the team. I've only returned to training today at Melwood with some of the other World Cup players, but I can't wait for the new season to start.”

Liverpool Manager Roy Hodgson Delighted By Skipper Steven Gerrard's Commitment To The Club

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is delighted captain Steven Gerrard has ended speculation about a move to Real Madrid and committed his future to the club.

Gerrard, 30, had been linked with a switch to the Spanish capital after the Reds missed out on Champions League football for next season. After the announcement that former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has agreed a switch to Anfield, Gerrard's decision to stay on has given the ex-Fulham boss another boost.

Speaking to the club's official website while on tour in Switzerland, Hodgson was convinced every Liverpool fan will be rightly delighted with the news from the skipper.

"It's a great piece of news. There won't be anyone in Liverpool today who isn't delighted to hear that," Hodgson said.

"I'm really pleased about it because I've got great respect for Steven Gerrard.

"He's a player who I was really looking forward to working with when I came to Liverpool. It seems now with that commitment that this will happen.

"It gives everyone a boost without question.

"It will be a tough season, with a lot of matches and the disappointment of last season is going to take a while to dissipate, but it is very good that our best player is still going to be playing at this club.

"Hopefully with the signing of Joe Cole - and if we are lucky one or two others, to boost the squad - we will be going into this season's competition, maybe stronger on paper than we were last season."

Reds Close In On Wilson

Sky Sports News understands that Liverpool is on the brink of signing defender Danny Wilson from Rangers.

Ibrox manager Walter Smith revealed to Sky Sports News reporter David Tanner that the two clubs are in advanced stages of discussions and have only the transfer fee left to agree on.

Smith also said the move could be sealed as soon as Tuesday evening, which would leave 18-year-old Wilson free to link up with the Reds at their Switzerland training camp.

Centre-back Wilson came through the youth ranks at the Ibrox club before penning his first professional contract there three years ago.

He will not join the Rangers squad that will fly out to Australia for their pre-season tour on Tuesday night due to a slight hamstring injury.

Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist is unsurprised by the interest Liverpool have shown in Wilson following the stopper's impressive campaign last season.

"I think the first thing they (Liverpool) would have to accept is that they're signing potential," McCoist told Sky Sports News.

"But it's a whole load of potential because he came in last season for us and played an awful lot of games, certainly a lot more games than, to be fair, we probably thought he would.

"A lot of that was probably down to him not being one hundred per cent fit a lot of the time.

"But he came in and he handled himself really superbly well. We obviously had very high hopes for Danny and Danny has high hopes for Danny and obviously Liverpool can see the potential there.

"If the deal is a done deal then certainly we would wish Danny all the best. I think there is a little bit of work to be done before it's a done deal, but they'll certainly be signing a player with outstanding potential."

Liverpool Demand £6m For N'Gog

Liverpool want £6 million for French fringe striker David N'Gog as they try to raise funds for new players.

N'Gog can go at the right price - quoted to several clubs in the Premier League and round Europe - although he may have to play in the Europa League qualifiers before going.

The Kop squad man is wanted by West Brom on loan, while Newcastle and Bolton have made inquiries about his availability - but the valuation is way too high.

Liverpool are still hopeful of a big pay day on N'Gog, with Nice's Loic Remy on their hit list but valued at around £14.3 million.

Liverpool Leave Loic In Limbo As Roy Hodgson Refuses To Meet £12.5m Asking Price

Loic Remy's hopes of joining Liverpool are in limbo as the Reds refuse to match West Ham's £12.5million bid for the France striker.

The Hammers own bid has been knocked back unless they stump up £7.5m up front rather than splitting payments over four years.

The 23-year-old would prefer to be part of Roy Hodgson's new-look Liverpool side, but respected French newspaper L'Equipe reports that an expected meeting between the Merseysiders and Nice has failed to materialise amid the Reds' reluctance to offer much more than £10m.

Nice have already been rebuffed interest at that level from Lyon and Remy has joined up with his current club's training camp at Megeve.

Arsenal has also tracked Remy and is considering whether to recruit another forward to replace Shakhtar Donetsk-bound Eduardo.

Remy's agent Frederic Guerra told skysports.com: 'A major club from the Premier League has contacted me about Loic. I have a meeting with the club on Wednesday and we will see what happens.

'Whatever happens Loic will be leaving Nice this summer and he has his heart set on England.'

Hodgson - Degen Can Leave

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has informed full-back Philipp Degen that he is free to leave Anfield.

The Switzerland international arrived in England from Borussia Dortmund in July 2008, but he failed to earn a regular place in the plans of former boss Rafa Benitez after a succession of injuries and disappointing performances.

Hodgson, who took over as Liverpool boss this summer, also decided that Degen will not feature in his first team and held discussions with the 27-year-old before telling him that he can leave the club.

"We have had an amicable conversation with Philipp and he wants to play football," Hodgson told Liverpool's official website.

"We won't stand in his way and he is free to look for another club."

McMahon Welcomes Changes

Liverpool Reserves boss John McMahon has welcomed a more competitive Barclays Premier Reserve League North in 2010-11.

After discussions during the summer, the Reds second string will come up against the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea in the new campaign.

Fresh from agreeing a new 12 month deal, McMahon will once again take sole charge of the reserve team and he believes the new look league will be of great benefit to the young players at the club.

A McMahon managed Liverpool XI will be in action tonight when they face Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground, with the match kicking-off at 7.45pm.

"It is very positive the changes that have been made and we look forward to playing the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal," McMahon told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"It's a more competitive league now and if you are going to push players through to the first team squad they need to be playing against good quality opposition.

"We have got some really good games to look forward to and it's always nice to play against different teams and test yourselves against quality opposition like Arsenal and Chelsea.

"Aston Villa have been in the national final for three years in a row so they are very strong at reserve team level, so it's going to be very competitive that's for sure."

It's also change off the pitch for the reserves as they will now be based full-time at the Academy in Kirkby.

"We were always planning to move the reserves squad to the Academy for a couple of reasons really," he added.

"One is the limited space down at Melwood and two is it's nice for the reserve squad to have a good base and then they can aspire to get to work with the first team at Melwood which is the ultimate aim.

"The transition has been an easy one and it's good because when we want to use younger players from the U18 team to come and train with us we can."

McMahon also spoke about meeting Roy Hodgson for the first time and added: "It was good to meet the boss and we all met as a staff and discussed the way forward in terms of what we are looking for ahead of the new season.

"I'm looking forward to taking the reserve team again and it's another good challenge. We will be a young squad again and we will be looking to continue their development.

"I will be in constant conversations with the manager and Sammy Lee about the progress of the young players and give them my opinions about their progress."

A number of players from McMahon's reserve team could feature for Hodgson's first team when they take on Grasshoppers in Switzerland - a match you can watch exclusively live on Liverpoolfc.tv.

McMahon believes the experience the young lads will get from taking part in the Swiss training camp will be invaluable for their future development.

"It's an exciting time for those lads like Steven Irwin, Daniel Ayala, David Amoo, Lauri Dalla Valle, Victor Palsson and the younger ones like Tom Ince and Jack Robinson," he added.

"It is a great experience for them and hopefully they can learn and improve and it will make them better players."

Chairman Martin Broughton Determined To Restore Liverpool's Status As 'Icon' Of Football

Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton has revealed that he took on the job at Anfield because he wants to see the club restored to its former glories.

Broughton, a lifelong Chelsea fan and current chairman of British Airways, was hired by the Reds with the aim of finding a new buyer for the club.

His motivations for doing so are purely about football, he insists, and hints that money has been wasted over the last few seasons at Anfield.

"I've taken the role on because Liverpool represents one of two, three or four footballing icons in the league," Broughton told Director magazine.

"Putting them back in their rightful position is in the interests of British football and the league. Seventh [where the club finished in the Premier League last season] is not their rightful position, and neither is administration.

"Remember, over the past five years, LFC is second only to Chelsea in terms of gross and net player spend. The question is whether the money has been spent wisely."

Broughton sees Liverpool as "a trophy asset worth a lot of money" and maintains that a buyer will be found for the Merseyside club.

"As long as we get sensible offers, we can do a deal," he added.

"We are out there to find someone wealthy. But it's important that they can win popular support."

The chairman does see similarities between his BA job and his role at Anfield, with media management an ongoing issue.

"In terms of intensity it's not very different to BA, where every little detail seems to fascinate the press," he explained.

"The level of misreporting is about the same, but the level of fabrication is higher. Football is a unique business.

"In any M&A [merger and acquisition] there are various stakeholders but supporters and their passion bring a new dimension."

Former Liverpool owner Peter Moores wrote an angry letter to The Times at the end of last season urging the current owners of the club, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, to sell as soon as possible.

Broughton though dismisses the letter as a largely irrelevant gesture.

"No, I just found it sad," he asserted.

"An old man trying to justify what he himself saw as a mistake by blaming everyone except himself. Who chose to sell? He just went for the most money."

Official: Liverpool Sign England International Joe Cole

Premier League giants Liverpool have confirmed the capture of England international Joe Cole on a free transfer. The attacking midfielder was available on a free transfer after leaving Chelsea earlier this summer.

The Reds have announced on their official website that they've agreed personal terms with Cole and that the gifted midfielder will undergo a medical in the next 48 hours. The highly rated winger will sign a four-year deal with his new club upon completion of the medical.

Cole is Liverpool's second signing of the summer transfer window. The Reds previously secured the services of Serbian international Milan Jovanovic from Belgian outfit Standard Liege on a free transfer.

The 28-year-old Cole is a product of the West Ham youth system, but left the Hammers for a spell at Chelsea in the summer of 2003. He won three league titles and two FA Cups during a seven-year stay at Stamford Bridge. Additionally, he has represented his country 56 times, scoring 10 goals in the process.

The England international initially appeared to be on his way to Arsenal, while Tottenham Hotspur and Milan were also believed to be interested in signing Cole. The versatile midfielder will ply his trade at Anfield Road instead though in the 2010-'11 campaign.

Cole will be wearing the number 7 jersey at Liverpool, a number previously worn by Robbie Keane, who left the club for Tottenham Hotspur in January 2009.

Jamie Carragher: Joe Cole Swoop Shows Liverpool FC Mean Business

Jamie Carragher warned Liverpool's rivals they “mean business” next season as he hailed the headline-grabbing arrival of Joe Cole.

The Reds' vice-captain, who has returned to training at the club's Melwood base, is delighted Cole had spurned the advances of Arsenal and Tottenham to join Roy Hodgson's revolution.

Cole arrived at Liverpool's Swiss pre-season camp here in Bad Ragaz last night with his father, George, and will undergo a medical at the team hotel today, which has its own sports science facility.

No problems are envisaged and, once that is completed, Cole will put pen-to-paper on a deal that will keep him at Anfield until 2014.

It is quite a coup for Hodgson and it is a move which Carragher believes shows Liverpool are serious about reclaiming their place in the Champions League.

Carragher is looking forward to linking up with Cole and he has no doubts the 28-year-old will quickly become a favourite on The Kop.

“It's great news and it is a message that Liverpool mean business,” said Carragher. “We have signed a top international player who has been really important for Chelsea.

“A lot of clubs wanted to sign him but it is a real coup that he has chosen to come here and you have got to give the manager and the board a pat on the back for convincing him to come.

“Joe is someone I have known for a long time from playing with England. He is a great lad to have around the squad, he mixes well and is lively character – he's also an outstanding footballer.

“In the modern game, you need forwards that can function in two or three different positions and Joe will do that, no problem at all. He can play on the right, through the middle or on the left.”

Once the Cole deal is wrapped up, Hodgson will turn his attention to signing a left-back – Maynor Figueroa of Wigan continues to be linked – but there is little doubt only one man's name will dominate the agenda for the time being.

An impish box of tricks, Cole proved to be something of a thorn in Liverpool's side during his time at Chelsea and scored winning goals on three occasions.

Though he has endured trouble with injuries in recent seasons, Carragher saw enough when the pair was at the World Cup finals this summer to suggest he will flourish in Red.

“Every supporter that I have spoken to is absolutely delighted and all the players are the same – it's given everyone a boost, just at the right time,” said Carragher.

“It has been a long summer and we have been in a transitional period but now the World Cup is out of the way, we can start to look forward again.

“Joe is a player who has the ability to get supporters off their seats and I've no doubt he will do that here; the fact we have got him has given everyone a boost around the city.

“It's good news again and, hopefully, there will be more to come. It's the kind of signing that we needed to make.”

Mark Lawrenson Hails Joe Cole As 'Perfect Fit' For Liverpool

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson believes that Joe Cole will fit in at Anfield well and improve the team.

Cole joined Liverpool on a four-year deal on Monday, with the Merseysiders fighting off interest from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to snare the player, a free agent after being released by Chelsea earlier in the summer.

Lawrenson feels that the England international will reinvigorate some of the other star names at the club and make Roy Hodgson's team a much more effective attacking unit.

"Joe Cole and Liverpool are a perfect fit - a really good move for player and club," the pundit told The Daily Mirror.

"Assuming his knee is okay - and he trained and played for England at the World Cup - then you’ve got a fit player with miles on the clock.

"A player who is extremely fresh and just wants to play, he has come into the club under a new manager and he is that manager’s choice.

"The sums also make sense as Yossi Benayoun had two years left on his contract and went for £5million."

"If things don’t work out for Joe at Anfield then he can simply move on and the club would get a decent transfer fee for him.

But to be honest the fans will love him. And if you’re Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard and you were thinking of leaving, you’d maybe think: ‘Hang on a minute. The club is showing a bit of ambition here’."

Cole's presence in the squad also gives Hodgson options in attack, with Lawrenson feeling that the England international should play wide with Steven Gerrard lining up just off the striker.

"But Joe will now give Roy Hodgson options at Liverpool. He can play right side, left side or off the forward," the former defender added.

"As things stand now - assuming the players stay - I see them lining up in a 4-2-3-1 with Cole right side in a three behind the striker, Gerrard playing off Torres and Milan Jovanovic on the left."

Meanwhile, Lawrenson also feels that Javier Mascherano's lack of contact with Hodgson shows a lack of respect from the player towards his new manager.

"We live in such a technological age that there’s no other conclusion to draw than a sign of disrespect," he said.

"The thing is, this is where Mascherano could have used his agent to get on the phone and just be honest with Roy and say: 'I want to leave.'

"Roy has been around the block. He’d know how to handle things the right way. He’d have the time to get a replacement in and all this could have been avoided.

"Let’s hope there can yet be a conclusion to this that suits all parties."

Reto Ziegler 'Tops Roy Hodgson's Left-Back Transfer List For Liverpool'

Swiss international defender Reto Ziegler has emerged as new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson's top transfer target to fill the vacant role at left-back.

Sampdoria star Ziegler, who starred in the group stages of this summer's World Cup, could be available for a cut-price fee of around £6million as reports suggest he is keen to leave the club.

Following Luigi del Neri's departure for Juventus earlier this summer, a number of players are thought to be on the verge of leaving - with former Spurs player Ziegler among them.

The Swiss has some Premier League experience from his time at White Hart Lane, as well as a loan spell with Wigan in 2006.

And while Spurs fans will remember him as something of a lightweight in defence, Ziegler's reputation has burgeoned since quitting north London in 2007.

The 24-year-old is now regarded as one of Europe's top defensive prospects and would be a good fit in Hodgson's rebuilding of the side.

Hodgson Locks In On Norwegian Rooney

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is considering an offer for Stromsgodset forward Marcus Pedersen, who has drawn comparisons with Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

The 20-year-old forward struck 10 goals in 24 appearances for his club last season while starting the 2010 campaign with 6 goals in his opening 15 games.

Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet have revealed that Reds boss Roy Hodgson sent scouts to watch Pedersen in the last two weeks and the Anfield chief is set to make a formal offer for the talented striker.

Jostein Floe, a Stromsgodset official revealed that despite Liverpool’s interest, a number of top clubs were following the youngster:

"There are several clubs who have followed him for a long time. But we have not yet received any bids for him."

Pedersen has a year and half left on his contract at the Norwegian club and it is thought the bustling striker would fetch a fee in the region of £5 million.

Work Permit Problems See Real Madrid Snatch 'New Didier Drogba' Juan Lescano From Liverpool

Real Madrid have snatched the 'new Didier Drogba' - Juan Lescano - from Liverpool after work permit problems scuppered his move.

Lescano, 17, had been training at Melwood for the last four months with the Reds' youth ranks after being picked up by ex-manager Rafael Benitez. After showing considerable promise, a permanent deal had been set-up for the Argentinian before it was scuppered by red tape.

Madrid have moved in quickly to sign the youngster and he will now join up with their Castilla sides. Speaking to skysports.com, Lescano was looking forward to his new start in the Spanish capital.

"At Liverpool people like [Javier] Mascherano and [Emiliano] Insua helped me a lot, but after the legal problems this is a big opportunity for me," Lescano said.

Inter Set To Pounce As Barcelona Cool Interest In Liverpool Midfielder Javier Mascherano

Barcelona are believed to have pulled out of the race to sign Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, leaving Inter as clear favourites to land the Argentina captain.

With new manager Roy Hodgson still understood to be unable to contact Mascherano, his future at Anfield looks increasingly uncertain but according to tuttomercatoweb.com, his destination is looking more likely to be Italy as Spanish giants Barcelona are reluctant to shell out a massive fee for the Reds midfielder having already spent €40 million [£24m] securing the services of David Villa.

A failed pursuit of Cesc Fabregas this summer may alter that stance but it now appears that European champions Inter will seize Barcelona's hesitancy as an opportunity to step up their pursuit of Mascherano.

Coach Rafael Benitez is understood to be keen to renew acquaintances with the man he brought to Anfield. Nerazzuri president Massimo Moratti and sporting director Marco Branca are reportedly set to move in the coming days to secure the services of the 26-year-old.

Anger As Liverpool FC Raise Anfield Match Ticket Prices By 15% For Big Games

Liverpool fans are facing a 15% surge in ticket prices to their team’s biggest home games.

Despite a poorer than expected performance on the pitch bosses at Anfield opted to charge up to £45 for tickets next season.

Angry fans are already claiming they are being penalized as they are made to pay to service the club’s crippling £237m debt.

LFC announced games will fall into three categories and each would have different priced tickets.

Matches played against the club’s six biggest rivals will cost £45 to watch in the Main Stand, Centenary Stand, Paddock Enclosure and Anfield Road. Tickets in the Kop will be just £2 cheaper, at £43.

Those “Category A” games are against Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Last year top matches cost £39 to go to.

A statement on the club’s website said: “Liverpool Football Club have today confirmed ticket prices for the forthcoming 2010-11 Barclays Premier League campaign.

“Liverpool’s 19 home league matches have been divided into three pricing categories to reflect demand for tickets amongst supporters.”

The announcement follows a 7% hike in the cost of season tickets for Anfield.

In June the club said Kop tickets were being pushed up to £680, and Anfield Road, Centenary and Main Stands peaking at £722 or £732 respectively.

And Reds who wanted to buy tickets by post, phone or by visiting the club were stung with a £52 admin fee.

Supporter union Spirit of Shankly spokesman James McKenna said today: “They’ve done it to earn more money for the football club because we’ve got massive debts and we’re making losses.

“I would imagine a lot of fans are going to be asking questions about how they can justify it. There’s quite a lot of anger already about it.

“There are a lot of people questioning whether they will be going to Anfield considering the prices. I think the terraces could certainly be affected.”

Category B matches, which include home ties against Aston Villa and Newcastle United, will cost £39 in the Kop and £41 elsewhere. All other matches will cost £37 for Kop tickets and £39 everywhere else.

Liverpool FC Now Up Against Time And Tide After Washout In Austria

Austria is a country that’s produced famous actors, revered composers and distinguished sportsmen but never a pioneering meteorologist – now we know why.

Occasionally when you travel to small towns with small grounds, you see things that do not add up and that was again the case in the picturesque Austrian outpost of Altach on Saturday, where Roy Hodgson was supposed to launch his Liverpool career.

It was clear to see from the filthy, heavy grey clouds that formed over the Alps early in the afternoon that rain was on the way yet that did not stop the local fire brigade soaking the playing surface at the Cashpoint Arena with gallons of water before kick-off. Bizarre.

So once the heavens opened, quickly forming huge puddles and saturating the pitch, it was inevitable Liverpool’s game with Saudi Arabian champions Al Hilal would be abandoned without a ball being kicked.

“We gave it our best shot,” said Hodgson. “I thought the people from Al Hilal were very good and we did everything we could to try and get the game on. But you can’t beat the elements and you can’t play football on a waterlogged pitch.

“To play football, you have got to have a pitch that you can play football on. There was no pitch to play football on here. We didn’t have the game called off because we were worried about picking up injuries. It was called off because it was impossible to play.”

Though some were quick to recognize the irony that Hodgson’s reign was literally starting under a cloud, just as Rafa Benitez’s reign had ended under one, there were no long faces in the Liverpool camp – if anything, the opposite was true.

The most bizarre sight of all was a portly local gentleman trying to shield his considerable frame from the elements with the tiniest pink umbrella, his doomed efforts leaving Hodgson, head of sports science Peter Bruckner and many of the Reds’ entourage chuckling.

Hodgson, however, will know there will be no time for laughs in the next few weeks, as he begins the serious business of reshaping a squad that must play its first competitive fixture in 10 days and has to challenge for a Champions League spot once again.

Emiliano Insua has gone to Fiorentina, Olympiakos want Albert Riera, Damien Plessis and Nabil El Zhar will be ushered through the exit door too – ditto disgraced keeper Charles Itandje – and then there is the small matter of Javier Mascherano.

To say Hodgson has been diplomatic in the way he has spoken on this issue is putting it mildly but the longer Mascherano keeps ducking Hodgson’s calls and ignoring his text messages, the quicker he will alienate himself from those who support him.

Better players than the Argentine have left Liverpool in the past and if he really wants to move to Inter, the quicker he hands in a transfer request, the better – there is absolutely no room on this journey for sulkers or those pursuing their own agendas.

Quite simply, the pace around Liverpool now is going to be frantic, as Hodgson tries to implement his ideology on the team, make new signings and welcome back those who have been on World Cup duty; he doesn’t need to be bothered by other distractions.

Some, of course, may say the Europa League is a distraction and listening to Hodgson speak in the tunnel of the Cashpoint Arena, as co-owner George Gillett hovered in the background, it’s clear the fixture against either FC Rabotnicki or FC Mika is something he could have done without.

Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson and Jamie Carragher might be returning to training at Melwood this week but none will be fit to play on July 29; Pepe Reina and Dirk Kuyt will still be on holiday, while its unlikely Daniel Agger or new boy Milan Jovanovic will be ready, either.

“The sports science people tell me it would be very foolhardy to use players who have only been training for three or four days or who have come off the back of a World Cup,” Hodgson said. “To risk them early on would affect us later on down the road.

“Their advice is: ‘Do not use these players.’ If we have enough players to put a team out without them, that is another question, so we will have to wait and see. Things (signings) can happen before July 29 but there’s no point me speculating on that.”

It’s likely players like Martin Kelly, Stephen Darby and Laurie Dalle Valle – a Finnish striker with a keen eye for goal – will get a chance to shine in Macedonia or Armenia, which is why the rain in Altach could not have come at a worse time.

Hodgson was anxious to see what they could do against decent opposition – Al Hilal are one of the strongest teams in the Middle East and are managed by Eric Gerets, the Belgian who once led Marseille to victory at Anfield.

“We are here with a group of players, very few of whom have played in Liverpool’s first-team,” said Hodgson. “They are a group who have been on the fringes or who have never even seen first-team football. We will have (another) 13 players back at Anfield soon. We will start training (with those) on July 25. So I see this training camp for what it is. It’s a chance for me to get to know some of the younger players and give them a chance to show what they can do.

“So this was a major disappointment, for the fans in particular who had come this far to see us play and a major disappointment for the young players. They were building up to their first game in the first team and they would have gone to bed dreaming of success.

“I could see how anxious they were to play and the concentration on their faces. But we have got two more games. All that has happened is they have their début postponed.”

Hodgson Stays Calm Over Mascherano's Future

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has insisted he is not concerned about the future of Javier Mascherano as the midfielder continues to enjoy his post-World Cup break.

Mascherano is being link with Inter Milan, where he would be reunited with Rafael Benitez, and has admitted to taking Italian lessons. But Hodgson believes the Argentina international will remain at Anfield.

Hodgson has placed a call to Mascherano, but has not heard anything back.

"He doesn't need to make contact with me,'' said Hodgson.”I've made contact with him telling him I'm looking forward to seeing him in training when he returns from his holiday but I did make the point in the voicemail that I didn't expect him to contact me.

"I just wanted him to know that I had been in touch and that I was thinking of him. I didn't ask him to call me back. I don't have a lot to say to him, to be honest, other than 'welcome back'.''

Liverpool New Boy Jonjo Shelvey Keen To Make Immediate Impact At Anfield

Jonjo Shelvey is relishing his first pre-season at Liverpool and is keen to show Reds' fans what he can do.

The 18-year-old England youth international moved to Anfield from Charlton Athletic at the end of last season and is now away in Switzerland preparing for the new Premier League campaign.

He is also enjoying the step-up in intensity in training that being at Anfield involves.

"Being at Liverpool is what every kid dreams of. When I was in school and in the playground I used to pretend to be players like Steven Gerrard, so it's unreal to think I'll be training with these players day in and day out," he told his new club's official website.

"At Charlton training was just shooting and five-a-sides and I was getting home at 1pm. At Liverpool we're not getting home till 2pm or 3pm and that's what I needed.

I needed to be somewhere where I could learn about the game because it got to the point where I wasn't learning at Charlton. I'm glad to be around the best people you could possibly be around.

"I'm really excited and can't wait for the season to start now. I want to get at least 20 games under my belt this season so I can start getting myself into it.

"I am confident; you have to be. When you are 18 years of age and you are getting thrown into games at Anfield then you can't have any fear. You have to go and do what you do."

While he is finding everything at Liverpool more demanding that it was in south London, Shelvey has his family to provide essential support as he settles in on Merseyside.

"Obviously it's a different lifestyle compared to being at Charlton," he said.

"The training is harder, everyone is a top quality professional, so it's totally different. It's different but I'm enjoying it. It's hard but I'm coping with it and it's good to be here.

"I thought I would find it a lot harder but I've had a lot of help from the club. I have my mum and dad coming up which makes it a lot easier. My dad comes up on a Monday and Tuesday and then I'll take him to Lime Street station on a Wednesday morning before training.

"My mum then comes up and she'll be there when I get home, which is great because she loves to cook.

"It still hasn't really sunk in now that I could be playing in the Premier League week in and week out. It's unreal."

Shelvey also tipped off Reds fans as to what to expect from him in a Liverpool shirt, and admitted that the excitement about potentially making his debut was intense.

"I'm an all-action player," he explained.

"I can defend, although I'd rather be bombing on to score goals and create things. I used to play in the hole behind the striker at Charlton but I prefer to play in central midfield to dictate the play.

"From watching the Premier League on the television you seem to get a lot more time and space on the ball compared to League One and that will suit me.

"I may be a West Ham fan but when you watch Liverpool on the television and hear the crowd singing it gives you goose-pimples. It will be amazing to play there. I can't wait. I'll probably faint before I walk out.

"I just can't wait to show the fans what I can do."