Roy Hodgson playing waiting game for new Liverpool FC ownership.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that his main task is to maintain his grip on the current squad until new owners take over the club.

Following discussion with the Premier League that would see a nine-point deduction waivered, the Royal Bank of Scotland are expected to repossess the club should George Gillett and Tom Hicks fail to meet the October 6 deadline to repay their loan.

Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi and former Wall Street stockbroker Kenny Huang were vying for control of the club last month but have both withdrawn their interest in succeeding the Americans following a difficult three-and-a-half-year spell as self-styled custodians.

Hodgson has received the backing of the Anfield faithful after being chosen to succeed Rafael Benitez in July despite having to sell Javier Mascherano to Barcelona last week and is hoping that he can avoid a wholesale rebuilding process when new investors are found.

He said: "The club is up for sale and nobody knows what direction it will take if and when new owners are found.

"A few years ago when the situation was far more stable, the money to buy new players was available.

"I hope the situation will change when the club is eventually sold and owners who are prepared to invest in the club come in.

"When that situation arises I'm pretty sure that it won't be difficult for us to start achieving things again but at the moment the task is really to hang on to the players we've got and make certain we don't have a situation where we have got a total rebuilding process."

Liverpool's main objective for the current season is securing Champions League qualification following last season's seventh-place finish but Hodgson insists that the club can still deliver silverware whilst the search for fresh investment continues.

"The stature, traditions and ability of Liverpool to attract players certainly makes it an achievable task even though we are in strange times," he added.

"You should never try and dampen people's enthusiasm and optimism.

"Furthermore every season we see teams not expected to win titles winning them.

"It doesn't always go to the favourite in any country.

"So we should never play down the Liverpool fans' incredible desire and passion to keep winning trophies - and the Premier League in particular - and keep their noses in front of Manchester United."