Hodgson plans to end terrible year on a high

LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson hopes to sign off a disappointing 2010 with a victory as he looks to a prosperous new year.

The last 12 months have been eventful both on and off the field for the Merseysiders.

Results have been on the slide ever since the Reds began 2010 with a third round FA Cup exit to Championship side Reading. Having finished a disappointing seventh in the Barclays Premier League manager Rafael Benitez was dispensed with and Roy Hodgson drafted in as his replacement.

In the wake of intense speculation about the futures of star players Fernando Torres, Jose Reina and Steven Gerrard the new appointment did not produce the expected bounce back in terms of performances.

However, since the sale of the club to New England Sports Ventures in October a degree of stability has returned to Anfield.

And while Liverpool are still a long way off the pace for Champions League qualification Hodgson is hopeful the worst is now behind them.

“I get the feeling every day the players are committed to the club and will work hard to do a bit better in 2011 than they have done in 2010,” said the manager, whose side face Wolves at Anfield tonight. They are capable of it and I am really anxious to work with them and help them with it.

“I have no fears in that respect. Everyone is anxious to make 2011 a better year than 2010.

“Every day is exciting for me. Every day I realise I am privileged to be in the position of football manager and even more privileged to be manager of one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

“I would hope that I would never be found guilty of not saying it is a privilege. I am really looking forward to the challenge of 2011 with this team, who I feel are capable of much better things than in 2010.”

Captain Gerrard returns against Wolves after more than six weeks out with a hamstring tear while defender Daniel Agger could be in the squad, having last played for the Reds on September 25 because of a complex calf problem.

For his part, Wolves manager Mick McCarthy insists he is under no pressure from club owner Steve Morgan despite his side propping up the Barclays Premier League table.

McCarthy saw Wolves slide into 20th position after being beaten 2-1 at home by fellow strugglers Wigan on St Stephen’s Day.

Now they face a testing clash with Liverpool at Anfield. But McCarthy is adamant he retains the backing of Morgan and Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey.

He said: “A huge amount of faith and trust has been placed in me — and by me in them (Morgan and Moxey).

“I don’t think I have any need to worry about that.”

McCarthy has been linked with a move for Tottenham’s former Wolves player, striker Robbie Keane, during the January transfer window.

But he admits being in the bottom three may have a negative effect when it comes to trying to attract players of Keane’s calibre.

McCarthy said: “He (Keane) is a fabulous player but I go back to the same thing ‘is he available, would he want to come to us, can we afford the deal, is it attractive?’

“Robbie has been a top player and whether a relegation scrap at Wolves is something he would fancy, I don’t know.

“There are a lot of factors that need to be looked at.”