Hodgson at Melwood earlier this morning
Liverpool are due to hold a press conference later this afternoon but Roy has already been posing for photographs at Melwood and Anfield for the club.
Speaking to the club, new manager Roy Hodgson admitted that the move was one of the biggest in his long career and laughed off speculation that he would bring Danny Murphy to the club.
It does appear however that Roy forgot to quiz the board about a transfer budget. Liverpool have not had a transfer budget for 2 years. Roy was asked.
Have you spoken to the board about your transfer budget?
No, not as such. One thing they made clear to me is we have to work within whatever restraints are in place at the club, but they’ve also made clear that if we were unfortunate to lose somebody then that money would be made available. I’m hoping that won’t be the case because I don’t want to lose anybody, but we haven’t gone much further than that. The Chairman is here today and I’m sure that during the course of the day, when I’ve spoken to the players, there will be meetings and discussions along those avenues as well. (Full transcript of interview is here)
Meanwhile, statements from both Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have been rushed out from the club.
Carra had this to say.
“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of working with Roy Hodgson as he’s got such a great reputation in the game and is one of the most experienced managers in world football.
“After this period of uncertainty, his appointment has given us all a lift.”
Meanwhile Gerrard spoke more in terms of the club.
“The club have made a good appointment in Roy Hodgson.
“Rafa left a few weeks ago and I know the club were determined to take their time and get the right man for the job.
“Roy is hugely experienced and I believe he is the right man for Liverpool.
“I think it’s been worth the wait and I’m sure he’s just keen now to get on with it and start to quickly put in place his plans for the new season.”
Liverpool’s first pre-season friendly is on the 17th July against Saudi champions Al-Hilal. The reds first competitive fixture is on the 29th July when they will begin qualification for the Europa League.
Scouserbob, you hit the nail right on the head about Steven Gerrard, if he isnt happy at Liverpool then Bye bye stevie it was fun, but we have seen big players come and go over the years.
I think we have also made a good choice of Roy as our new manager, yes Kenny was good, but that was many years ago, and i dont think he would have been suitable for our manager now, times have changed and Roy has been managing through these changes, People wont agree with me i know but its only my opinion.
I don’t know about Hodgson being the right man but he’s probably the only one we can afford!.If Gerrard and/or Torres want to leave then we should never force them to stay with their longfaces that we’ll be forced to witness on a weekly basis.Every club loses great players and we have done so to in the past so there is nothing to cry about!
To be honest the way Gerrard played last season and in the world cup if he did leave then we’d survive ! We got the best years of STEVEN GERRARD and he knows it even if he dose bugger off to Madrid then the club would still b here ” Bigger and better men have left this club in the past”
You must have sad lives, poor manager, owners on the take, demos in Liverpool, such a far cry from those heady days of Paisley taking the reigns. Look, forget the gloom and doom, yes with our hearts we would have dalgleise but the pressure would have been phonominal on him and I want him as my idol. The club is up for sale but becarful what you wish for in an owner. Get behind the club, the manager and the team. Gerrard is gone, Torres is staying, hopefully?
If Stevie and Torres stay, this may be a fruitful season….time to cross those fingers…
this appointment is the worst in the history of the club,dalgleish was the only candidate to keep it all together and he knew it,out of love if nothing else,were doomed
I AGREE WITH TERRY HARRIS .WHY NOT KING KENNY .I HOPE HOGDSON DOES A GREAT JOB BUT WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE POLICY. I THINK IN TIME THE BOARD WILL REALISE THAT MR DAGLISH IS THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB BUT AS IT STANDS WE HAVE ROY HOGDSON AND DESCION AS BEEN MADE .AS NEW LIVERPOOL MANAGER I GUESS WE ALL HAVE TO WISH HIM BEST OF LUCK [ HE WILL NEED IT]
Dear All Liverpudlians, doom day is ahead… look at what Hodgson has to say… “we have to work within whatever restraints are in place at the club, but they’ve also made clear that if we were unfortunate to lose somebody then that money would be made available.” And you still think that we will march ahead.. Forget it liverpool will no more be the dreaded one in Premier League.. Unfortunate.. very unfortunate
Gerrard did tend to speak about the club as a separate thing from himself. Maybe he made up his mind when rafa left…
Gerrard says “I believe he is the right man for Liverpool”, why not “I believe he is the right man for us”?
Yeah, that is kinda scary….. to be honest i dont think we will be seeing much of Gerrard & Torres this season… only when they play against us… City probably