Hodgson keen on Comolli

LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson is keen to embrace the arrival of new director of football strategy Damien Comolli as the club’s new owners make plans for a revamped “leadership group”.

The former Tottenham sporting director has been recruited from St Etienne to overhaul the Reds’ transfer policy and scouting activities.

Hodgson insists the impact of the Frenchman’s arrival will be positive, as it will allow him to concentrate on coaching the first team and claims it creates a working environment he is more than comfortable with.

“I feel very good about it. It is a strategy which I think makes sense, especially for our club because we are in a period of transition.

“They want a management structure in place which they can identify with.

“Damien will certainly take a lot of the minor things that you have to deal with, allowing me to concentrate on the team management and he will help us bring the team forward.

“As far as I am concerned it does not have any effect on my role as manager; I shall be selecting the team and working with the team and making all the decisions which revolve around the team. There is no impact for me as such on my daily work, where he will help the club and help me is in the matter of player recruitment.”

Hodgson has pledged to field a strong team in tonight’s Europa League clash at home to Napoli as he seeks to take a major step towards qualification for the knockout stages.

The 63-year-old believes four points from their remaining three games — two of which are at home — will be enough for his Group K leaders.

And even with a huge match against Chelsea looming on Sunday, Hodgson is prepared to field an experienced side.

“I think if we can get four more points we’ll be pretty much secure for a place in the next round as I can see the other games being tight,” he said.

“We’ll have a strong team out, we won’t rest too many.”

Hodgson will be without Joe Cole (hamstring), Dirk Kuyt (ankle) and Daniel Agger (calf) while Sotirios Kyrgiakos is troubled by a groin problem. However, Ryan Babel is training with the squad after a rib injury and Glen Johnson is set to return following a thigh problem.