Hodgson to open talks with Liverpool

The following story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club:

Roy Hodgson is ready to open talks about ­becoming the next Liverpool manager this week - and Fulham chiefs fear he is on his way to Anfield.

Liverpool managing ­director Christian Purslow has received a glowing recommendation about Hodgson from former Anfield boss Gerard Houllier. And Fulham have now put ­transfer and contract talks on hold until his future is sorted, as they believe their hugely successful boss is on his way to Merseyside.

Kop legend Kenny Dalglish has now withdrawn his interest in ­taking over as manager. And Liverpool are poised to make an official approach, opening the door for talks to start in the next few days. Agents working on deals to bring ­players to Fulham, and those ­hoping to renegotiate existing contracts, have been told they must wait until Hodgson has spoken to Liverpool.

Fulham chairman ­Mohamed Al Fayed will not make it easy for ­Hodgson to leave, ­offering him a major pay rise and transfer budget.

But Liverpool are ready to move after Purslow staged a ­series of ­consultations. Former Anfield chief Houllier, who ­managed the club ­between 1998-2004, is one of several high-profile football figures to have been consulted by Purslow in the pursuit of a new boss to ­succeed Rafa Benitez.

Purslow has spoken to ­several senior UEFA ­figures, ­including Houllier and ex-Scotland boss Andy Roxburgh, about Hodgson's credentials. And both Houllier and Roxburgh recommended Hodgson as the ideal ­candidate to succeed Benitez.

The clear sign Hodgson will be formally offered the chance to manage Liverpool in the coming days follows a ­decision by Dalglish to step away from pursuing the job.

The Scot's change of heart about resurrecting his managerial career back at Anfield has cleared the way for Hodgson to take over from Benitez, who has joined Inter Milan.

Houllier, who won a UEFA Cup, Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups during his Anfield reign, was quick to give him his seal of ­approval with the Fulham chief highly regarded amongst UEFA's elite group of coaches and their technical committee.

The Fulham boss, 62, is seen as a safe pair of hands and an experienced man who can ­restore the stability and dignity the club have lost, particularly in the last two years.

Liverpool are in no great rush to make the appointment as their pre-season plans have been put in place by No.2 Sammy Lee, who is staying despite Benitez's exit.

Their non-World Cup stars are due back for training around July 5 in readiness for their Europa League qualifier at the end of next month.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.