"We couldn't get him out of his contract. He's one I would also put in the Jamie Carragher-Steven Gerrard mould, Liverpool for life.

"Unfortunately he was let go at the end of the season before last and we can't get him back. He's too valuable to them."

Hodgson hopes to have better success with his attempts to sign Denmark international midfielder Christian Poulsen from Juventus.

And the player's agent is confident a deal can be reached in the next few days, with Liverpool expected to pay around £6million for the 30-year-old former Schalke and Seville man.

"It won't take more than a week before this is sorted out," said Poulsen's representative Jorn Bonnesen.

"It might be already in the beginning of next week.Christian Poulsen is Roy's man. He will be playing as a defensive midfielder at Liverpool. I returned home with a good and positive impression."

While German side Stuttgart have confirmed the arrival of Liverpool right-back Philipp Degen on a season-long loan, one player determined to stay at the club is Dani Pacheco.

Malaga and Real Sociedad have already enquired about the 19-year-old's availability after he was named player of the tournament when starring for Spain in the recent UEFA under-19 European Championships.

But Pacheco, who was handed his first Liverpool start in Wednesday's 2-0 Europa League win over FK Rabotnicki having played in the U19 final for Spain just days before, is hoping for more first-team chances at Anfield

"I really want to be here," said the forward. "I will talk with the manager in a few days and we will decide my future.

"Hopefully I will stay and be able to get some games so we will see. I will try to work, get as many chances as I can and take them when they happen."

Martin Kelly, who also started against Rabotnicki, has earned his first England under-21 call-up. The 20-year-old has been named in Stuart Pearce's squad for next week's friendly with Uzbekistan.