Hodgson admits Liverpool are in 'strange times'

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that his main task is to keep the squad together until new owners take over the club and give him money to spend on new players.

The future ownership of the Reds is as uncertain as ever despite a fortnight of intense activity last month that still failed to see a proper bid for the club materialise.

For Hodgson, who took over from Rafael Benitez in July and was then forced to sell Javier Mascherano to Barcelona, his main aim has been to avoid having to rebuild the playing squad completely.

Hodgson told the LMA's magazine The Manager: "The club is up for sale and nobody knows what direction it will take if and when new owners are found.

"A few years ago when the situation was far more stable, the money to buy new players was available.

"I hope the situation will change when the club is eventually sold and owners who are prepared to invest in the club come in.

"When that situation arises I'm pretty sure that it won't be difficult for us to start achieving things again but at the moment the task is really to hang on to the players we've got and make certain we don't have a situation where we have got a total rebuilding process."

Hodgson insists however that Liverpool can achieve success and he will not attempt to dampen fans' expectations.

"The stature, traditions and ability of Liverpool to attract players certainly makes it an achievable task even though we are in strange times," he said.

"You should never try and dampen people's enthusiasm and optimism.

"Furthermore every season we see teams not expected to win titles winning them.

"It doesn't always go to the favourite in any country.

"So we should never play down the Liverpool fans' incredible desire and passion to keep winning trophies - and the Barclays Premier League in particular - and keep their noses in front of Manchester United."