Meanwhile, Hodgson has said Javier Mascherano continues to figure in his plans.

Hodgson brought in Christian Poulsen last week from Juventus fuelling speculation that Mascherano was on the verge of a move to either Inter or Barcelona.

Both clubs have courted the wantaway Argentina captain this summer but as yet neither have made a formal approach for the player.

Mascherano was in impressive form against Arsenal at the weekend and now Hodgson suggests he may pair the midfielder with Poulsen.

“I don’t want to let Javier go and at the moment he has shown no signs of going,” said Hodgson.

“I believe Javier Mascherano is going to play for us and I believe Christian Poulsen is going to play for us.

“We can have both players. This is a big club and a club with a lot of games to play this year hopefully.

“Christian is a quality player and we want quality players here.

“He is a good passer and supporter. He will fit in nicely with the way we try to play.

“We try to play football through the midfield and Liverpool have always been a passing team; there is going to be no change to the style, whether it is me or someone else is manager.”

Mascherano could be included in Liverpool’s Europa League squad to face Trabzonspor at Anfield tomorrow night.