Roy Hodgson believes this week’s capture of Joe Cole and the confirmation that Steven Gerrard will stay at Anfield means Liverpool (7/4 – top-4 finish) will be stronger than last season.

With most onlookers impressed with the free transfer capture of Cole, Reds fans breathed a huge sigh of relief when skipper Gerrard then pledged his future to the club.

Hodgson is certainly upbeat about the season ahead after securing the services of the England pair, with the transfer work not yet complete.

The former Inter Milan boss admitted: “It will be a tough season with a lot of matches and the disappointment of last season is going to take a while to dissipate. But it is very good that our best player is still going to be playing at this club.

“It’s a great piece of news and fingers crossed the speculation about Steven will go away. It gives everyone a boost without question.”

Hodgson believes that Liverpool (12/1 to win the 2010-11 Premier League) will start the season with a stronger group of players than when when Rafa Benitez ended his spell in charge at Anfield.

The manager added: “Hopefully with the signing of Joe Cole – and if we are lucky one or two others to boost the squad – we will be going into this season’s competition maybe stronger on paper than we were last season.”

It looks like one of those further new captures will be the Rangers youngster Danny Wilson, who is on the brink of a move to Merseyside.

The SPL champions have agreed a three-year deal in principle with Liverpool over the sale of the teenage defender.

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain claims the Glasgow club will receive £2m for the centre back, rising to £5m with add-ons linked to games played for the Reds.

The 18-year-old, who turned down an offer to remain at Ibrox, is understood to be undergoing a medical will the prospect of sealing a switch this week.

Hodgson also remains upbeat over the future and fitness of Fernando Torres (11/2 to be Premier League top goalscorer), who continues to be linked with a summer move.

The Spaniard is still on holiday following Spain’s World Cup success but Hodgson has spoken to the striker, who suffered a groin injury when coming on as a substitute in the final against the Netherlands.

The Liverpool boss revealed: “I met Torres last Wednesday in Ibiza, albeit briefly. He told me the groin problem was not anything to worry about, it was something which would clear up with rest on holiday.”

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