Kaiserslautern 1-0 Liverpool: The Sunday Mirror pre-season match report

Roy Hodgson is cautiously optimistic Fernando Torres will follow Steven Gerrard’s lead and reaffirm his commitment to Liverpool.

The new Kop boss suffered his first defeat at the helm yesterday when a young Reds side was beaten 1-0 by Bundesliga new boys Kaiserslautern in Germany.

But coming at the end of a week that has seen Joe Cole arrive at Anfield on a free transfer and inspirational skipper Gerrard insist he is going nowhere, the result did not dent Hodgson’s mood.

Now, as preparations step up a gear, Hodgson is hoping for the biggest boost of all – by hearing Torres has ended interest from Chelsea and Manchester City as he wants to be part of the Reds revolution.

Hodgson met Torres before Liverpool’s Swiss training camp in Ibiza 10 days ago and Liverpool’s managing director Christian Purslow is continuing to speak with the Spanish striker.

He said: “The feedback I’m getting is positive but I can’t put words into other people’s mouths. “Christian is the one who has spoken with Fernando and his agent.

“I do find it slightly amusing that we are talking about the future of player who still has years left on his contract but I understand the situation.

“I have only spoken to him once but I am hoping to end up speaking to him every day on the training pitch. Hopefully he will follow what Steven did and reaffirm his commitment to the club.”

With so many players recovering from their World Cup exertions, Hodgson was forced to field a side that will look nothing like the one he will chose for the Premier League opener with Arsenal on August 15.

There was a first start in a Liverpool shirt for Serbian international Milan Jovanovic, while David Ngog led the line and the young Frenchman should have given his side an early lead.

Ngog, who is wanted by West Brom, is determined to fight for a place in Hodgson’s plans but he wasted a great chance inside the first minute after a mistake by Kaiserslautern defender Rodnei.

It was the only time Liverpool threatened in the first half and with no Alberto Aquilani – who was rested because of a knee problem – they struggled to create chances.

So it came as no surprise when Kaiserslautern took the lead on 32 minutes, as they had been putting Liverpool’s defence under mounting pressure.

Daniel Ayala, the Reds’ young Spanish defender, had looked vulnerable from the start and his slip allowed Chadli Amri to pick out Ilian Micanski, who back-heeled past Diego Cavalieri.

Hodgson was clearly irritated by some of Liverpool’s play and he could often be seen shaking his head when moves broke down and passes went askew.

And much to the former Fulham chief’s frustration, things never really looked like improving after the break as Kaiserslautern keeper Tobias Sippel was able to enjoy the fine weather.

A succession of substitutions meant there was no flow to the game and Kaiserslautern comfortably held their visitors at bay in the closing stages.

But now the serious business is about to begin for Hodgson and he will have much to think about ahead of Liverpool’s trip into the unknown next Thursday.

They face FC Rabotnicki in the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round in Macedonia and Hodgson is worried about what to do in terms of the team he picks.

He has had long discussions with the club’s sports science department about whether he can play England stars Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Glen Johnson and Joe Cole.

And judging on the evidence that was provided against Kaiserslautern, Hodgson will need some of star performers to avoid an uncomfortable evening.