Hodgson still Liverpool's number one target

The following story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club:

Liverpool will still attempt to lure Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, to Merseyside as Rafael Benítez's successor despite club great Kenny Dalglish's declaration of interest in returning to the Anfield dug-out.

Dalglish, who is Liverpool's Academy ambassador after rejoining the club last year, has made it clear he would be delighted to return to the position he occupied with distinction between 1985 and 1991.

But despite the strong emotional draw of seeing Dalglish, whose bond with the club's fans was strengthened in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster, back at the helm, Liverpool will not be deflected from their plan to offer the position to Hodgson.

The manager of the year, as voted by his peers, has been identified as the ideal candidate to steer the club through one of the most turbulent periods in its history, so deep have been the scars caused by owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Liverpool are £237 million in debt, will not compete in the Champions League for the first time since 2003 after finishing seventh in the Premier League and face an exodus of stars, including Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano following the chaotic infighting of the last months of Benítez's tenure.

Sources at the club believe Hodgson's understated demeanour and calm manner would provide a welcome respite to the recent turmoil, while he has also won praise for his ability to work on a limited budget and for his style of play.

Christian Purslow, Liverpool's managing director and the man leading the search for a new manager, has made it clear the four qualities he values above all others are experience, an established reputation, stability and proven ability to deliver success in Europe. Hodgson, fresh from taking Fulham to the Europa League final, ticks all the boxes.

The former Inter Milan manager has a £2.5 million buy-out clause in his rolling, one-year contract at Craven Cottage, a sum that would have a small impact on Liverpool's transfer fund of around £15 million.

A short list of potential candidates, topped by Hodgson, will be presented to Liverpool's six-man board over the next few days, a move that is likely to be quickly followed by an official approach for the 62 year-old.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club: