Hodgson accepts struggle to keep Liverpool stars

Liverpool: Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson says the financially troubled club has a tough job convincing disenchanted players to stay.

Hodgson replaced Rafa Benitez last month after a woeful season that saw the 2009 Premier League runner-up slip to a seventh-place finish.

Javier Mascherano's agent indicated this week that the Argentina midfielder would like to be reunited with Benitez at Inter Milan, while speculation persists Spain striker Fernando Torres wants to leave.

Hodgson said Thursday that "some players are a bit disenchanted after what happened last season."

He added that "we are working very hard on making certain the players we have at the club who you would call the 'good players' are going to be with us for next season."