Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has given the clearest indication yet that Fernando Torres could be heading out of Anfield by suggesting the player has a long-standing gripe with the club.
Hodgson, who on Saturday saw his new team lose 1-0 to Kaiserslautern in Germany, said after the game that he was still hopeful Torres would follow captain Steven Gerrard in committing his future to the club. But now it appears something that went on behind the scenes when Rafael Benitez was in charge which may ultimately prevent that.
Chelsea are believed to be waiting in the wings with a big money offer should Torres decide he wants to leave Anfield, although the striker is currently out injured with a thigh strain sustained in the last moments of the World Cup final with Spain.
Hodgson told the News of the World: "Unfortunately, I cannot do much more. His beef is with the club and not me. Fernando's situation has nothing to do with me, he made that perfectly clear over the phone during the World Cup and when I met him face-to-face.
"He knows what I would like to do with the club. He knows how much I value him. But his issues are with what has gone on in the past rather than the future. If he has problems with the club for things in the past, it is difficult for me to dismiss that.
"People forget he is a Liverpool player. One year ago he signed a four-year contract. I hope he will commit himself by honouring his contract."
Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is confident the capture of Joe Cole and retention of Gerrard will show Fernando Torres just how serious Hodgson is about moving the Reds forwards.
Dalglish, who is now the club's Academy ambassador, said: "When Torres sees that [Cole signing] and talks with Roy I am sure he will give us good news. I hope Torres stays. Only Fernando knows what 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.
"The fact that Stevie is staying will be a great help and players like Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic, Jonjo Shelvey and Danny Wilson means there is buying for the present and the future. Roy is going to stamp his own authority on the club - but it is difficult at the moment because the players are coming back in dribs and drabs after the World Cup and you don't have everyone coming back together.''
