Roy Hodgson Glad Torres Talk At An End

Roy Hodgson has revealed he is glad that the speculation surrounding Fernando Torres can now be brought to an end.

The Spanish striker announced earlier this week that he has not intentions of leaving Anfield and his commitment to the club was as string as the day when he signed.

Ever since Liverpool's seventh finish at the end of the 2009/10 season Torres' future has been in question as the club will not be playing Champions League football this season.

But with a new manager at the helm Torres has pledged his future to the club and Hodgson revealed that his managing director Christian Pirslow always thought the striker was going to stay at the club.

Speaking to Sky Sports Hodgson said: "I have to say that ever since I took the job, that in my discussion with Christian Purslow, he told me he was always confident that Fernando would stay.

"He told me there's nothing to worry about, that there is a lot of speculation, but that he'll play for Liverpool next season - so we don't need to worry.

"But it's nice that the speculation can finally end and even better that Fernando gave an interview yesterday in which he spoke about how committed he is and how keen he is to have a good season with the club."

But there is still work to be done with Torres between now and the beginning of the season as the Spaniard picked up a groin injury whist on international duty at the World Cup.

And while Hodgson doesn't want to take any risks with Torres he hopes that he will be ready to play when Arsenal come to Anfield for the first game of the season on 15th August.

"He has only been back a couple of days and he needs to do a lot of work to make certain he recovers from his holiday of three weeks and also, of course, the injury he picked up towards the end of the World Cup," said the ex-Fulham chief.

"So we don't want to take any risks with him. But I am still hopeful that come Sunday week when we play the Arsenal that it won't be out of the question to use him, even though I do realise that sports science people will tell me that it is too early."

The rest of the Liverpool squad will be in action tomorrow night for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League qualifying against Rabotnicki Skopje, the Reds brings 2-0 aggregate lead to Anfield.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw