Wary Hodgson rules out Liverpool challenge for title

Roy Hodgson does not expect Liverpool to challenge for the Premier League title this season because he has not had enough time to work with his new squad.

Hodgson welcomes Arsenal to Anfield today for his first Premier League game as Liverpool boss after replacing Rafael Benitez during the close-season.

The former Fulham manager was the number one choice to replace Benitez because of his honesty and straight-talking values, something he displayed time and time again during his successful three-year tenure at Craven Cottage.

And he has sought to dampen some of the expectation on his side’s shoulders ahead of the new Premier League season.

The signing of the likes of Joe Cole plus the expected takeover of the club from controversial co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett has raised hopes on Merseyside that Liverpool can become a side to contend with – starting against the Gunners.

Yet, Hodgson sees things differently.

“After seven training sessions with what I regard as the key players, it is pretty obvious to all that we are a long, long way from being a team like Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea,” he said.

“I don’t even pretend that the team after six or seven training sessions are going to be anything like the team we want to be.

“It would be ridiculous to suggest that we can be at the top of our game now in terms of how I want the team to play.”

Hodgson has to decide if he plays midfielder Javier Mascherano in the club’s opening fixture against Arsene Wenger’s side after the Argentina captain made it clear he wants to leave.

Inter are the favourites to sign him because Benitez wants to be reunited with him but as far as Hodgson is concerned, Mascherano, at least for the time being, is going nowhere.

“At the moment I can quite categorically state there has been no offer from any club for Javier Mascherano,” he added.

“And as a result, I don’t see why I should put his loyalty or desire to play for the club in doubt every day.

“I don’t want to let Javier Mascherano go. At the moment, he has shown no signs of going, so it’s not a question of replacing him.”

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres could be used as a substitute after recovering from a thigh strain ahead of schedule, while Arsenal are likely to be without Andrei Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner today.