Woy will jet to Spain and make plea to Spanish star

Roy Hodgson is planning to gatecrash Spain’s World Cup celebrations in a bid to persuade Fernando Torres to stay at Liverpool.

The new Kop boss is ready to fly to Madrid, where Torres and his team-mates will get a heroes’ welcome from the nation if they win the World Cup tonight.

Torres is wanted by both Chelsea and Manchester City, while skipper Steven Gerrard is Jose Mourinho’s top target for Real Madrid.

Hodgson has met Gerrard and talks were positive, but Gerrard decided not to take a decision until he returns from holiday next week.

A Liverpool insider said: “Roy is willing to speak to any player over the telephone, but Spain is close enough for him to fly out once the World Cup is over.”