Hodgson reassured by developments-FIFA.com
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson hopes speculation about the future of Steven Gerrard will come to an end now the captain has publicly declared his commitment to his boyhood club.
The 30-year-old midfielder refused to talk about his future while he was at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa with England. But on his first day of pre-season training Gerrard was keen to stress how much he is anticipating the coming campaign and playing alongside international team-mate and new signing Joe Cole.
"I made it clear that I simply needed to concentrate on the World Cup and then have a decent holiday with my family", said the midfielder. "I wanted the chance to meet Roy Hodgson privately and having done so, I'm very impressed with his plans for the future. I've only returned to training today at Melwood with some of the other World Cup players, but I can't wait for the new season to start. I know Joe well through the England set-up so it will be fantastic to play alongside him in a red shirt for Liverpool".
And for Hodgson, who has met Gerrard only briefly after taking over from Rafael Benitez on 1 July, that is exactly what he wanted to hear. "It's a great piece of news and fingers-crossed the speculation about Steven will go away", said the 62-year-old Englishman. "The club has made no secret and I have made no secret that I came to work with people like Steven Gerrard, not to see him disappear before I get chance to work with him. It seems now with that commitment that this will happen. It gives everyone a boost without question.
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