BRENDAN RODGERS has insisted that Liverpool FC will continue to strive for ways to improve their squad ahead of the new season, but admits the club may need to remain patient in their transfer dealings as clubs and players raise their asking prices.
The Reds have so far managed to add only striker Fabio Borini, a £10.4m capture from Italian outfit Roma, to their ranks this summer, whilst a move for Hoffenheim midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson fell through after the two parties were unable to agree personal terms. Sigurdsson eventually joined Premier League rivals Tottenham.
Rodgers is preparing to make his competitive bow as Liverpool manager. The Ulsterman was due to fly out with his team to Belarus today, ahead of tomorrow night’s Europa League qualifier against FC Gomel.
And with speculation swirling around Anfield regarding ins and outs, the manager insists that the club will continue to work behind the scenes to ensure the squad is strengthened over the next few weeks.
Rodgers said: "There’s a lot of great work going on, obviously with the board and (managing director) Ian Ayre in particular doing a lot of work behind the scenes.
"I’ve got regular contact going with our American owners and, in particular, Mike Gordon (vice chairman) from Fenway Sports Group.
"Obviously when it’s a club like Liverpool prices are always increased and so on, but I always felt it was important by the beginning of the season we could have the squad we want – and certainly by the end of the transfer window I would hope that will be the case."
Much of the recent conjecture surrounding the club has centred on those who could depart Anfield, with the futures of Andy Carroll, Daniel Agger and Alberto Aquilani all hot topics for debate of late.
Still, in terms of arrivals, Liverpool have found themselves linked with a whole host of names.
Rodgers, though, insists that much of the speculation is without foundation, though he revealed that he hopes to make progress on a number of fronts before the transfer window shuts at the end of this month.
He added: "There is lots of speculation.
"I’ve seen hundreds of names linked with Liverpool and there’s very few of them that were even close to coming here or even close that we have looked at.
"Unfortunately for the supporters they’ve got to read it and put up with it.
"But the message is there is a lot of work going on, on a number of deals and hopefully we can get those completed by the end of August."
Liverpool remain on course to wrap up a deal for Swansea City midfielder Joe Allen, while they retain an interest in Fulham’s Clint Dempsey.
The American forward’s absence from the Cottagers’ Swiss training camp this week, however, is not believed to be linked to any imminent bid from Anfield.
It is understood that Liverpool will only consider a deal for the 29-year-old if Fulham drop their asking price significantly.
