I’ll fight to keep Skrtel, says Rodgers

BRENDAN RODGERS will fight to keep Martin Skrtel at Liverpool as talks stall over the defender’s new contract. The Slovakia centre half, who has two years left on his deal, has been courted by Manchester City, Russia’s Anzhi Makhachkala and Napoli. The 27-year-old played 45 minutes of Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against FC Toronto but afterwards refused all requests for interviews. Rodgers said: ‘I’ve heard nothing from any other club. He seems happy. I will fight as hard as I can to keep the players I want and Martin is one of them.’ Juventus are monitoring forward Luis Suarez, who has also not agreed new terms, but Rodgers said: ‘I’m confident Luis is really looking forward to playing for us this season. ‘I have spoken to him and had nothing but positivity.’ Liverpool’s England contingent, including Steven Gerrard and Andy Carroll, join the squad in Boston today, along with new signing Fabio Borini, but it is unlikely they will play in next week’s Europa League qualifier.

DOMINIC KING MANCHESTER UNITED’S Michael Carrick has opened the door to an England return. The midfielder told the FA he did not want to be in the Euro 2012 squad, but asked if he would return, Carrick said: ‘Yeah, I would consider it. It wasn’t me turning my back on my country. It was more a case of if I wasn’t going to play, then I’d rather not go.’ United arrived in Shanghai yesterday after Bebe scored in a 1-1 draw against Ajax Cape Town in South Africa on Saturday.

CHRIS WHEELER LUKA MODRIC will face strong action from Tottenham if he does not attend training today. The midfielder wants a move to Real Madrid. He did not report for training last week and failed to travel on the club’s US tour. It is understood Spurs have fined Modric two weeks’ wages and he can expect further sanctions if he does not turn up to train with those not on tour this morning. Manager Andre VillasBoas was quoted in Spanish paper

AS as saying: ‘This will go against him. He has worsened the situation and the chairman is very angry.’

SAMI MOKBEL