Hodgson issues “hands off” warning to Chelsea

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson says he has spoken briefly with Reds striker Fernando Torres following Spain’s World Cup victory last weekend, and says he is not for sale at any price.

Torres has been heavily linked with Chelsea this summer, but Liverpool are hopeful they can convince 26-year-old to stay at Anfield.

Speaking at Liverpool’s pre-season training camp in Switzerland, “I have met with Fernando. I found him to be a very pleasant man and we had a nice conversation.

“As far as we are concerned he is a Liverpool player and we want him to remain a Liverpool player.

“He is not for sale and we don’t welcome any offers for him. We want to keep him.

“My conversation with him was only short because I had to leave to come to the training camp in Switzerland.

“We spoke about football, the World Cup, his injury, and I told him how much I am looking forward to working with him.”

He added, “Christian Purslow was also at the meeting and chatted to Fernando for a lot longer after I left but my chat with him was only about football matters.”