Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson believes Steven Gerrard will be staying at Anfield after revealing that he has had "positive" talks with the club captain.
Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres
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Roy Hodgson is trying to hold onto prized assets Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres
Having already lost Yossi Benayoun to Chelsea, Hodgson is focused on keeping Gerrard and Fernando Torres at the club, amid speculation that the pair could leave.
But the future appears bright for Liverpool fans, as Hodgson met with Gerrard and Jamie Carragher following his appointment last Thursday, with the talks going to plan according to the new Reds boss.
"I think they went splendidly," Hodgson told LFC Weekly. "I was very happy to meet the players and, of course, Kenny [Dalglish] who I already know so well.
"I was delighted to see how positive they are. Everybody is looking forward to the new season. Obviously Steven and Jamie are the playing heartbeat of the club and it's very important we keep people like that with us.
"I anticipate there might be a situation where other big clubs will try and sign Steven, but he gave no indication that he wanted to leave. Nobody at the club wants him to go so I will be doing my utmost to make sure he stays. I am confident he will."
With Gerrard happy to stay, Hodgson must turn his attention to Torres when he returns from World Cup action, though the Liverpool boss is confident that he can convince the Spain striker to commit his future to the club.
"Fernando is a wonderful striker and I understand the fans' concerns about his future," Hodgson said. ''Unfortunately with the World Cup still on, I won't be able to meet him face to face for another few weeks.
"That's just circumstance and you won't hear me complaining about it. When I do meet him, I will be doing everything I possibly can to convince him that Liverpool is the place to be. If he sees progress, I am confident that he won't want to go anywhere else. I think he understands the club and the city."
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