The club will decide when Mascherano leaves, not him, says tough-talking Hodgson

Roy Hodgson has told Liverpool fans to ignore the speculation over the future of Fernando Torres because the star striker is staying.

And the new Anfield boss also offered a blunt message to Javier Mascherano last night, by telling the Argentina skipper that it is the club who will decide his future, not him.

Torres has been the subject of mounting rumour over his continued tenure on Merseyside, with suggestions emanating from Spain that the forward wants Champions' League football next season...with Chelsea prepared to give it to him.

But in a piece of straight talking to worried Liverpool fans yesterday, Hodgson eased their fears with the confident message to ignore the doom mongers and instead celebrate in the fact that the player himself has offered assurances he will be in the red shirt at the start of the campaign.

"I don't where any of these reports saying he's supposed to want Champions' League football are coming from, because he's told us he's looking forward to Monday, looking forward to getting back to work and looking forward to playing for Liverpool next season," Hodgson explained.

"That's what I know so all other reports, I would suggest, are erroneous. As far as I know, he's looking forward to coming back here on Monday, and that's it.

"He's enjoying a holiday which is a well-deserved break - he's spending a lot of time with his family and as far as I'm concerned, he's keeping a very low level and not really speaking to anyone."

Hodgson is becoming increasingly frustrated at apparent attempts to unsettle Torres, but he is confident the striker's affinity with Liverpool's passionate support will ensure he remains at Anfield.

And the tough-talking boss also made clear yesterday that he will set the agenda over Mascherano, even though he revealed the midfielder has asked to leave.

The pair met on Monday, and it is obvious that the new Liverpool manager will not be pushed about by players, and he told Mascherano that he is under contract and so cannot dictate terms.

"He's made it perfectly clear he wants to leave. He wanted to leave a year ago and he wants to leave now. But he's contracted to Liverpool Football Club, so whether he leaves or not is our decision," Hodgson said.

"It disappoints me but it's not unusual - all clubs have players who want to leave, but the mere fact that the player is a little bit unhappy with his situation and would prefer to leave doesn't necessarily mean he will leave.

"Some are allowed to, some aren't. The situation is that Mascherano has a two year contract and I expect him to honour that until the day comes when the club decides to accept an offer for his services."