ROY HODGSON has warned Liverpool supporters he will not “start splashing money around” during the current transfer window – even if new owners take over before the end of the month.

The Anfield outfit are seemingly heading towards a takeover with a number of interested parties having expressed their interest in buying the stake of co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Such a change in ownership could mean an improved transfer budget for Hodgson, who last night saw his side ease beat FK Rabotnicki 2-0 in his first home game in charge.

But the Liverpool manager admits any new funds would come too late to spend in the next four weeks, with his scouting department having already earmarked and working on prospective arrivals.

“We have made some signings so far,” said Hodgson. “Milan Jovanovic was signed before I came but we have brought in Danny Wilson and Joe Cole, and we hope to bring in a couple of other players.

“The danger would be in a late takeover that money would be made available but we wouldn’t really have had a chance to research the players during this transfer window.

“We are targeting players in this transfer window that the club is able and capable to buy and if one day an enormous amount of money is made available, as it was for Manchester City once upon a time and Chelsea, so be it – that will be nice.

“But we will still have to do a lot of research and background work before we start splashing that money around. It is not a question of how much a player costs, it is how good he is.”

Hodgson yesterday saw a £2million bid for Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones rejected by the npower Championship side.