“Liverpool has always had speculation about managers, players, players coming, players going and it’s the same as managers,” said the centre-back.

“That’s part of being part of a big club, you always have that type of thing. People always want to talk about the club, whether it is positively or negatively, and if you play for Liverpool you have got to get used to that as part of the job.”

The vice-captain accepts this season has been difficult, having to failed to live up to expectations with early exits from the Champions League and FA Cup and a disappointing Premier League campaign.

But he is convinced the dressing room is united in aiming for the remaining goals of Champions League qualification and winning the Europa League.

“It has been a difficult season for everyone really, on and off the pitch,” he said.

“The only way we can change that between now and the end of the season is by rallying together, getting together and focusing on what’s important – which is the club – and on the pitch getting the results we need to try and get in the top four and also having a good run in the Europa League.

“So at the moment now I think it is about everyone sticking together.”

Liverpool have included promising youngsters David Amoo, Daniel Pacheco, Swedish winger Alex Kacaniklic, Gerardo Bruna, Steven Irwin and Robbie Threlfall in their 35-man squad for the Europa League.

However, new signing Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible after appearing in the Champions League for Atletico Madrid earlier in the campaign.

Liverpool take on Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni in the Europa League with the first leg at Anfield on Thursday, February 18.