Hodgson still hoping to prove his worth

UNDER-PRESSURE Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson remains positive about his and the club’s future, insisting he is doing his best to justify his appointment.

Despite a much-needed injury-time victory over Bolton on Saturday, speculation still persists that the 63-year-old’s days are numbered at Anfield.

After taking over in October — three months after Hodgson’s appointment by the previous regime — owners New England Sports Ventures are believed to be exploring options for a change of manager.

Ralf Rangnick, who resigned as coach of Hoffenheim at the weekend after a difference of opinion with the club’s owner, is the latest to be added to a list of potential successors.

After Saturday’s win, Hodgson bemoaned the “negativity” of conjecture about his position at the club but stressed he was able to rise above it.

“When you get given the job you climb up to the top of a greasy pole — we all do that — but at least you are on the pole and you have been given the chance,” said the Reds boss, who has had to endure the Kop calling for him to be replaced by Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish and faced sarcastic chants of “Hodgson for England”.

“I am on an exceptionally lofty pole because the club is one of the biggest in the world and that is why when you get the job here you are so pleased you are chosen. I will be doing my best to justify my selection and trying to get the team playing the sort of football we played against Bolton,’’ said Hodgson, who takes his side to Blackburn tonight as Liverpool’s fixture-packed January continues.

“But it was not just against Bolton, I can give you six or seven games where we have played as well as that.

“I can also, with no attempt at modesty, point out we have played 10 difficult games in Europe without even using the bulk of our first-team players and we have reached the last 32 of the Europa League. I still see a lot of things positively and my glass is absolutely half full rather than half empty at the moment.”