Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish expects Fernando Torres to stay at Anfield, despite intense speculation that the Spain striker will ask for a move away before the start of the season (Liverpool 12/1 – Premier League outright).
Reds boss Roy Hodgson revealed over the weekend that Torres is unsettled at Liverpool and has a “beef” with the club.
He intimated, after speaking to the former Atletico Madrid ace about his future, that he could do no more to persuade the striker to stay on Merseyside.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has since said he would be interested in signing Torres – if the price was right – while Chelsea and Barcelona have also been linked with big-money swoops.
Torres has so far stayed silent on his future but is still on holiday after his exploits with Spain at the World Cup and is not due back on Merseyside for another week.
Hodgson had hoped the fact skipper Steven Gerrard has committed his future to the club, coupled with the capture of Joe Cole on a free transfer, would help persuade Torres to stay but it appears the 26-year-old is yet to be convinced Anfield remains the place to be.
Dalglish, though, is confident Torres will eventually decide to stay with the Reds.
“When Torres sees that (Gerrard staying and Cole’s signing) and talks with Roy I’m sure he’ll give us good news,” Dalglish told BBC Radio 5 live.
“I hope Torres stays. Only Fernando knows what he is going to do. Unfortunately for him he is injured but he is a fantastic player and is very happy around the club and the city.”
He added: “The fact that Stevie is staying will be a great help and players like Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic, Jonjo Shelvey and Danny Wilson mean there is buying for present and the future.”
Torres is recovering from a groin injury will not feature in Liverpool’s first competitive match of the season, the Europa League qualifier against Rabotnicki on Thursday (Rabotnicki 12/1 to win, Liverpool 1/5- first leg 90 minutes) but may be fit, should he decide to stay, for the opening Premier League game of the season against Arsenal on August 15 (Liverpool 5/4, Arsenal 7/4 – 90 minutes).
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