Torres keeps Liverpool guessing about his future

Ace Spanish striker Fernando Torres is keeping Liverpool guessing on his future, as new coach Roy Hodgson revealed that their 50 million pounds-rated striker has yet to commit to a fourth season with the club.

Hodgson said: "Christian Purslow, the club's managing director, has been talking to Fernando Torres for the last two days so there have been lots of words. But I haven't spoken to him, no."

"Javier Mascherano is on holiday and isn't due back until the fifth of August so that's when I'll be speaking to him," The Sun quoted him, as saying.

"I was confident Steven Gerrard would stay with Liverpool because he is the heart and soul of the club. It would have been a major blow to lose him. Steven Gerrard has pretty much said he's staying and that's a big boost," Hodgson said.

"It was a major day yesterday with the signing of Joe Cole in tandem with Gerrard saying he is staying. Hopefully he will soon be followed by Fernando Torres."

"On Monday most if not all of our players who were at the World Cup will return to training and we can start getting down to some serious work," he added.

Hodgson was happy after a patched-up Liverpool side held FC Grasshopper to a 0-0 draw last night.

Liverpool were without 13 senior players and did not play new signing Cole.

Hodgson said: "We played a young side and they did very well."