We can still tempt stars — Rodgers
BRENDAN Rodgers insists Liverpool will remain an attractive destination for the game’s top players, even when they lose one of their biggest stars.
Liverpool’s manager was determined yesterday to draw a line under Steven Gerrard leaving, stressing it was time to ‘concentrate on football’ when asked about his captain’s revelation that he would have stayed had a contract been offered last summer.
What Rodgers did recognise, however, is that the 34-year- old’s move to LA Galaxy leaves a ‘void on and off the pitch’. One ramification is that he will never be able to use the line ‘come and play with Steven Gerrard’ again when making a big sales pitch.
Rodgers, though, is refusing to lose heart. ‘We have to have confidence that in the time I have been here there have been some outstanding players who have come,’ said Rodgers. ‘But there is no doubt we need to replace that quality, either through some young players getting an opportunity or our players stepping up to the mark.
‘But it is also about bringing in that quality. It has been difficult and over the last couple of years some of our top players have gone, the likes of ( Luis) Suarez and (Jamie) Carragher.
‘ They were fantastic players. Steven is going to move on. I want to work with that level of player. As a coach, I enjoy working equally with the stars as I do with young players, so I am not purely one who needs to work with young players.
‘If you speak with the elite players, they will say they enjoyed working with me. But for us it is something that needs to be done. This is Liverpool — we have to be in the running for the world’s best.’
Yet even with Gerrard, Liverpool have found it difficult to woo big names and in the last two years they have missed out on Alexis Sanchez, Diego Costa, Willian and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. They struggle to complete deals, but Rodgers says Liverpool’s name still appeals.
‘We have to believe it can be done,’ said Rodgers. ‘Last season, after nearly winning the league, we were in a position to attract a level of player. The team has changed, but the great name of Liverpool is the same. It is a big attraction. Hopefully, come the end of the season, we will be in the Champions League having won something as well.’
One positive for Rodgers is that he should be able to call on Daniel Sturridge again by the end of the month. The striker has returned from intensive rehabilitation in the United States. ‘We have to trust the work he has done,’ said Rodgers. ‘When he comes back he hopefully sustains his fitness.’
Meanwhile, Dr Zaf Iqbal, Liverpool’s first-team doctor since 2010, has left his post abruptly. No reason has been given for his departure.