JOHN ALDRIDGE has warned Roy Hodgson of the “massive job” ahead of him at Anfield.

Liverpool are expected to unveil the former Fulham manager at a press conference this afternoon bringing to an end a four-week search for Rafael Benitez’s replacement.

Hodgson was top of a shortlist drawn up by managing director Christian Purslow and Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish.

Although Aldridge says the well-travelled 62-year-old will bring valuable experience to Liverpool, he believes Hodgson is arriving at the club’s most crucial period since Bill Shankly took charge over 50 years ago.

“He’s got a massive job on his hands at Liverpool,” said Aldridge.

“This is the most important stage in Liverpool’s history since Bill Shankly took over with what’s happening off the field with the owners and the lack of stability at the club.”

One of the first things Hodgson will have to do is work out which players he can rely on to be at the club next season.

While speculation persists regarding the futures of captain Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano is thought to be unsettled and has been linked with big money moves to Inter Milan and Barcelona.

“Something has to happen as soon as possible,” said the former Liverpool striker. “You have to go in and test the situation about which players need to go out, what you’ve got to bring players in and who you can keep.

“That’s very important as Mascherano has been using the wild card about his wife being unhappy and there’s question marks about Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. They’ve got to be sorted out as soon as possible.”

This will be Hodgson’s 17th managerial role in a career spanning 35 years. He can count Inter Milan, Udinese, Copenhagen and the Swiss and Finnish national teams among a long list of jobs, and Aldridge is impressed with Hodgson’s credentials.