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Hodgson vows to fight for Torres

Fernando Torres has cut a frustrated figure this season © PA Photos

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Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has admitted he has considered the possibility of Manchester United swooping for Fernando Torres as a replacement for Wayne Rooney.

England striker Rooney is on his way out of United after refusing to sign a new contract at Old Trafford, suggesting the club lack ambition on account of their failure to sign new players.

If United sell Rooney to the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City or Chelsea for a handsome fee, Sir Alex Ferguson could conceivably look at Torres as a potential replacement, particularly since the world class Spanish striker's potential to win trophies is not being fulfilled at Liverpool, who sit second from bottom in the Premier League.

Torres, like Rooney, has been well below his best this season. But as was now obviously the case with Rooney, off-field issues could be troubling Torres, who also appears to be below peak physical condition. United could be willing to gamble that a change of scenery would bring out Torres' best, a situation Hodgson is reluctantly contemplating.

"I am not naive enough to think there is no danger we will ever lose a player like Fernando Torres,'' Hodgson said. "I can only hope we won't and I will make certain I do everything in my power to keep him happy at the club, help him improve his current form and to get him playing for Liverpool as he has in the past.''

Torres has been rested for Thursday night's Europa League tie against Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo but Hodgson could still not dodge questions about his misfiring striker.

Asked about the possible threat of a United bid he added: "I think I'd have to say we'd cross that bridge when we come to it. I am pretty sure when a great player like Wayne Rooney is looking to leave his club Manchester United will be in a position to target an awful lot of players around the world.

"I don't think Fernando Torres would be the only player they will be targeting or [we would be] the only club worried their star striker is going to be a target. They will have the opportunity to replace him with many star strikers around the world, so all I can say is I am not naive to the situation.''

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