Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has made it clear in no uncertain terms that Sir Alex Ferguson can forget about luring Pepe Reina to Manchester United.

Ferguson was linked with a surprise move for Reds star Reina as the United boss looks for a long-term replacement for his veteran keeper Edwin Van der Sar.

It has been reported that Reina and other Liverpool stars like Fernando Torres may consider leaving Anfield due to the club’s recent financial problems and current poor form under Hodgson.

Liverpool are currently languishing in the Premier League relegation zone, but Reina only signed a six-year contract in April and Hodgson has no intention of letting the 28-year-old leave.

Hodgson told the Liverpool Echo: “It was just one of those stories that seems to occur – it’s just disappointing and annoying.

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Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson welcomed the club’s potential new American takeover as a positive move on Thursday and pleaded for patience from the fans as he tries to turn around problems on the pitch.

Liverpool said on Wednesday they had accepted a £300 million offer from New England Sports Ventures (NESV), who also own the Boston Red Sox baseball team, although the deal is still subject to a legal challenge as well as approval from the Premier League.

“It’s very positive and of course I’m delighted,” Hodgson told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

“It’s been going on a long time and I know how hard the board have worked to set things up.

“I know it’s not easy for them because the owners have other ideas in terms of the sale of the club and what is achievable. I was delighted to hear the news and have it confirmed that it looks like it is going to go through.”

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Liverpool signed a 4-year contract with Portugal and Porto midfielder Raul Meireles.

The Reds have paid 14m euros (£11.5m) for the 27-year-old who has 38 caps for Portugal.

The Portuguese is a combative player and is seen as a natural replacement for Javier Mascherano, who is poised to complete a move to Barcelona.

“Liverpool are a historic club and I am happy for the move. Roy Hodgson was key because he worked so hard to get me,” Meireles told the Liverpool website.

“It has been a long time coming but finally I have achieved my dream of playing in England.”

Meireles has joined Milan Jovanovic, Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, Jonjo Shelvey and Danny Wilson in moving to Anfield this summer.

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Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has officially joined Liverpool Football Club as their new manager.

“The 62-year-old former Fulham, Inter Milan and Switzerland manager has agreed terms with the club on a three-year contract and becomes the 18th manager in our history,” the club said in a statement.

It added that Hodgson would begin his management duties as early as Thursday by overseeing the first day of pre-season training at the club.

Hodgson takes over from Rafael Benitez, who quit Anfield last month after a disappointing season saw them finish seventh in the table.

“This is the biggest job in club football and I’m honoured to be taking on the role of manager of Britain’s most successful football club,” said Hodgson.

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Roy Hodgson flies back from the World Cup today, hoping to tie up a deal to become Liverpool‘s new boss.

The Fulham manager was favourite to succeed Fabio Capello if England had lost yesterday and the Italian was forced to quit. Hodgson is Liverpool’s No.1 target to replace Rafa Benitez and the Anfield board rubber-stamped an official move for him last Friday.

Talks have been held up by Hodgson’s role as a BBC TV pundit in South Africa. But with the experienced boss due back in London this evening, club officials expect to make an official announcement in the next 48 hours.

Liverpool have interviewed several candidates for the job, including Martin O’Neill, Manuel Pellegrini and Alex McLeish, with Reds legend Kenny Dalglish and MD Christian Purslow holding secret meetings over the past three weeks.

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