Hodgson ready for Torres talks

Roy Hodgson plans talks with Fernando Torres to persuade him to stay at Liverpool.

The new Reds boss has already met Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher and wants to speak to Torres in South Africa before flying out to meet him.

Torres is wanted by Barcelona and Hodgson wants to convince him that he can fulfil his ambitions at Anfield.

"I will have a conversation with Fernando as soon as possible," said Hodgson. "It wouldn't be right to disturb his preparations for the quarter-final against Paraguay, but I'd like to meet him as soon as possible after the World Cup.

"I want to speak to him face to face and I'm hoping he may return to Spain for a day or two before going on holiday. It could be anywhere, but I'll be there, trying to impress on him why Anfield is the place to be."