Hodgson wary Torres interests United

Roy Hodgson has today said that Liverpool could be vulnerable to bid from Manchester United when the transfer window opens in January, after revelations from Old Trafford the last few days that striker Wayne Rooney wants to leave United. Alex Ferguson could very well come knocking on Hodgson's door for Fernando Torres. The out of form striker has looked delusional for Liverpool this season, likewise with United's Wayne Rooney.

Roy Hodgson said, "When a great player like Wayne Rooney is looking to leave his club, Manchester United will be in a position to target a lot of players around the world,"

He also added. "I don't think Fernando Torres will be the only striker they target, and I don't think that we will be the only club that will be worried their striker can be targeted.

"I am not naive to believe there won't be any danger and we will never lose a player like Torres, I understand these things can happen. I don't believe we will lose him, we will do our best to ensure he stays, and I only hope I can do everything in my power to help him return to the very top level we know he has. I certainly hope he will get back very quickly, we want to get him back to form and back to the level we know he can achieve as quickly as possible."

Also Roy Hodgson says he was caught unaware that managing director Christian Purslow was resigning from his position a week after securing the sale of the club. The manager added, "Christian Purslow leaving doesn't impact on my position as far as I know, but that is not a question for me to answer," Hodgson said.

"I came to work for Liverpool Football Club not an individual. I had no idea before today that Christian was going to leave the club. I believe I have the backing of the club, and I want to continue with the rebuilding job that we have here. We knew it was a big job, and as far as I am concerned nothing has changed."

Christian Purslow resigns

Christian Purslow has stepped down as Liverpool’s Managing Director following last week's £300 million take over from New England Sport Ventures, Purslow will be staying on at Anfield as a non-executive director. A statement from the club read

”Liverpool FC confirms that following the successful sale of the club, Christian Purslow has decided to stand down from his temporary position as managing director. Christian will remain as a non-executive director and will act as a special adviser to the new owners.”

Purslow was brought in by former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett in September 2009 and he was a key player in securing the £80 million shirt sponsorship deal with banking giants Standard Chartered.

Purslow added, “I came to LFC to lead the Club through a sale process to get the best overall deal including, vitally, the removal of the debt. I am immensely proud of what we have all achieved. I now look forward to assisting the Owners in any way I can at this exciting time as they drive the Club forward to a bright future.”

FOOTBALL: Joe Cole on joining Liverpool

New Liverpool signing Joe Cole has been explaining his move to Anfield, Cole signed up to a £90,000 a week contract with Liverpool this week. Cole has spent his entire career based at London clubs, but has chosen to move north with Liverpool snubbing both Arsenal and Tottenham.

"I set myself a deadline to make a decision and when I made it I sent a text to Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow and Steven Gerrard and then turned my phone off.

Joe said, "I know I have made the right decision and I am looking forward to the challenge.

"This is a challenge for me. I have played in London all my life. I could have stayed at Chelsea because the fans loved me and I won things, but I wanted to challenge myself and when I knew Liverpool were interested it was a no-brainer because they are the biggest club in the country.

"This is a massive club. I tried to take everything out of the equation, take the financial and location side out and just thought in football terms.

"I thought about the semi-final of the Champions League in 2005 when I ran onto the field and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I was thinking about playing in that atmosphere every week and that swung it for me."