Hodgson's challenge to starlet

Roy Hodgson today challenged Dani Pacheco to build on his encouraging start to the season and show he can provide Liverpool with a potent striking option.

With Dirk Kuyt out for a month and David Ngog battling a hamstring problem, Hodgson could make the trip to Birmingham on Sunday with Fernando Torres as his sole front man.

The Spaniard is not due back at Melwood until Friday following his country's glamour friendly with Argentina, which they lost 4-1 in Buenos Aires last night.

As he played no part and will return unschathed, Torres will lead the line at St Andrews but Hodgson knows he will need options on the bench and Pacheco will be certainly be in his thoughts.

The 19-year-old has caught the eye when Hodgson has pitched him into battle so far - notably away at Trabzonspor in the Europa League.

Although there were some suggestions earlier this summer that Pacheco might have to move on, the Reds boss has confirmed he holds Pacheco in some regard - now he wants to see him flourish.

"I thought Dani did very well when he came on against Manchester City in the five or six minutes he played," said Hodgson.

"I also thought he did very well when he came on against Trabzonspor and he made a difference. He is a player that we really believe in.

"He is young but it is great that can keep giving him these opportunities and moments on the field and I think these moments will get even longer as the season progresses.

"Now we are in the Europa League, it is good for me too that I will be able to give chances to the likes of him, (Jay) Spearing and (Jonjo) Shelvey.

"They need games and we will have plenty of opportunities in the coming months."

Pacheco was a big hit at this summer's Under-19 European Championship and finished leading scorer with four goals during Spain's run to the final.

But now Pacheco is determined to show Hodgson his faith won't be misplaced if he decides to let him loose.

"I hope I will play a big part," said Pacheco. "I know that I have to keep working very hard in training and I will have to take the chances that the manager will give to me."

Fabio Aurelio, meanwhile, is making progress back to full fitness after missing the 1-0 win over West Brom; he had been taken off in the victory against Trabzonpor as a precaution.

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