The new Liverpool boss sees the Chelsea reject as an ideal
replacement for Yossi Benayoun, who has joined the champions for
£5.5million.
Hodgson knows he has a battle on his hands to persuade the
28-year-old Londoner to leave the capital and is also concerned
that Tottenham can offer Champions League football.
But he is ready to sell his energetic vision of the future for
Liverpool, which includes trying to hang on to Fernando Torres and
Steven Gerrard.
Cole has said he is looking for a new manager who "loves him"
after falling out of favour with Stamford Bridge chief Carlo
Ancelotti.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp ticks that box having signed Cole as
an 11-year-old at West Ham.
A Liverpool source said: "Roy knows he faces a tough job in
persuading Joe to move north.
"But he sees him as the ideal playmaker to shape a new era at
Anfield and hopes the player will be excited by this new
challenge."
Hodgson is also ready to target Wigan's Honduran left-back
Maynor Figueroa, 27, who would cost around £6million.