Liverpool have lined up Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan to replace Fernando Torres should he leave Anfield.
The Uruguay international, 31, has regularly haunted Anfield dating back to his days at Manchester United and stunned the Kop in April with a late equaliser that denied the Reds a place in last season's Europa League final.
Roy Hodgson witnessed Forlan's exploits first-hand in the final itself, where the striker hit a brace to deny his Fulham side an historic triumph in Hamburg's Imtech Arena.
Forlan arrived at the Vicente Calderon in summer 2007 as a result of Torres' move to Anfield and is expected to replace the 26-year-old should he move onto pastures new.
Hodgson has conceded that he and managing director Christian Purslow have done all they can in attempting to persuade the hitman to remain on Merseyside amidst interest from both Chelsea and Barcelona in securing his services.
Forlan was one of the outstanding candidates during this summer's largely unimpressive World Cup and left South Africa with the Golden Ball and could return to England if the Reds are willing to pay the buyout clause in his contract, which currently stands at £50million.
Liverpool are standing firm in refusing to listen to offers for Torres but may be forced to reconsider with the player expected to attract bids of at least £50million, should he intimate his desire to walk out after three trophyless seasons.
However Kop legend Kenny Dalglish, 59, believes that the arrival of Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard's decision to remain at the club will provide Torres with some new-found optimism and reasons to remain at Anfield.
He said: "When Torres sees that (Cole signing) and talks with Roy I am sure he will give us good news.
"I hope Torres stays. Only Fernando knows what he is going to do.
"Unfortunately for him he is injured, but he is a fantastic player and is very happy around the club and the city.
"The fact that Stevie is staying will be a great help and players like Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic, Jonjo Shelvey and Danny Wilson means there is buying for the present and the future."
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