Roy Hodgson

The Anfield boss says his immediate target, after taking over this summer from Rafael Benitez, is to improve on the club’s finish last season (Liverpool 6/4 for top four finish).

But he wants the proposed takeover to be settled as soon as possible as he believes it is unsettling the club.

Hodgson says that to get to the level of the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, Liverpool will have to sort out their off-the-field situation.

Liverpool are up for sale, with American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett wanting to push through a sale and fans unhappy that more money has not been spent on improving the team.

Hodgson said: “I think we will have a decent season, but whether we are really able to get our act together and take the next big step forward. That might depend on the ownership issue.”

“What I would like to see is what everyone at Liverpool would like to see – a solution to the ownership problem; that Martin Broughton finds an owner acceptable to the rest of the board, with the right intentions and who will, first and foremost, build a new stadium that increases the capacity.

“One hopes, as everyone at Liverpool hopes, this matter will be resolved sooner rather than later. Of course, the club needs new ownership. We’re not alone in that, but we’re probably the most high-profile club in the world in that situation.

“We want to make this club have a better season. That has to be the first objective, to do a bit better and then build a platform for future greatness.”

Hodgson admits that he was pleased to come through the transfer window unscathed after seeing the likes of Steven Gerrard, Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres stay with the club.

The Reds have made an unspectacular start to the season, coming through qualifying to the Europa League by beating Rabotnicki then winning 3-1 on aggregate in the play-off against Trabzonspor, while in the Premier League drawing at home to Arsenal, losing 3-0 at Manchester City and then beating West Brom at home.

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