Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish indicated yesterday he was confident striker Fernando Torres will stay with the club despite reports suggesting the 26-year-old may move on, possibly to Chelsea.

Liverpool legend Dalglish said he believed that with skipper Steven Gerrard having committed his future to the club and with Joe Cole arriving from Chelsea, the 26-year-old Spaniard would opt to stay - although coach Roy Hodgson has claimed he himself can do nothing more to persuade the player.

"When Torres sees that (Gerrard staying and Cole arriving) and talks with Roy I'm sure he'll give us good news," Dalglish told BBC radio's Sportsweek yesterday.

"I hope Torres stays. Only Fernando knows what he is going to do. Unfortunately for him he is injured but he is a fantastic player and is very happy around the club and the city.

"The fact that Stevie is staying will be a great help," Dalglish concluded.

Earlier, the News of the World newspaper quoted Hodgson as saying Torres, who was disenchanted with Liverpool's failure to qualify for the Champions League, had yet to confirm his intentions.

"Unfortunately, I cannot do much more. His beef is with the club and not me," the paper quoted Hodgson as saying.

Earlier this year, Torres insisted that Liverpool needed new blood.

"We need four or five of the highest level to compete. Without strengthening, what's the point of fighting again next season just to be in the top four?" he asked.

World Cup winner Torres is currently out of action with an adductor problem but Liverpool hope he will be fit for the Premier League opening game with Arsenal on August 15.