Rodgers Speaks Out On Signing A New Defender & Missing Out On Willian To Spurs

With the summer transfer window in full swing, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Brendan Rodgers confirms he wants a new defender and responds to missing out on Willian.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has been in front of the media today for his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekends clash with Aston Villa and he’s been quizzed on his plans to sign a new defender and missing out on Willian.

Rodgers told the clubs official website that he is targetting a new centre-half before the transfer window closes in 10 days time as he feels he needs more experience at the back.

The Reds replaced the retired Jamie Carragher with 32-year-old Kolo Toure earlier in the summer but the Northern Irishman feels he still needs to strengthen his defence, particularly now Sebastian Coates has been ruled out for most of the season with a knee injury.

The Uruguayan picked up the injury while away on international duty last week and Rodgers expressed his disappointment as it scuppers his plans to send the youngster out on loan for the forthcoming campaign.

The Reds boss confirmed he’ll also look to send Andre Wisdom out on loan but will only be able to do so if he can bring in a more experienced defender over the coming days. He told Liverpoolfc.com:

“I feel for big Seba because he’s obviously played the latter part of the game and picked up a similar injury to what Martin Skrtel had last year,”

“It’s probably going to rule him out for most of the season, which is disappointing for him.

“He’s never given me a minute’s problem since he’s been here and this was probably a year where he needed to go out and play. Unfortunately that will put an end to that.

“It’s something that we’re looking at [signing another defender] certainly, a player to come in in that position. It’s to strengthen the squad but also to allow some of our younger players to develop.

“For us to maximise Andre Wisdom and his talent, I need to get him some games.

“The idea is to get him out on loan; but I can only do that if we bring in someone with a bit more experience to come in and support the group. It’s two-fold really. It’s certainly a position we’re looking at.”

Rodgers was also quizzed about missing out on Brazilian attacker Willian this week. Liverpool were understood to be close to signing the Anzhi Makhachkala forward before Tottenham hijacked their move and the 25-year-old is now on the verge of completing a £30m move to White Hart Lane. When asked about it, Rodgers told the clubs website:

“Over the course of the summer, we have been very ambitious in our attempts to try to get in players to improve the team.

“Some might say too ambitious but this is Liverpool Football Club – we are trying to get the best players that we possibly can. If we can’t get them in, we just have to move on.

“We’ve got 11 days to go, we have to do everything we possibly can.

“It hasn’t changed; if you’re going to climb the league, you have to have quality and you have to get the best players you possibly can into your club to help you climb. That’s our aim.

“Of course if you don’t get the player you want, there’s always that initial disappointment but you can’t dwell on it. There’s still a chunk of the window left.

“We’ve done some business early on in the window, which was very good. Now if we can finish off in these remaining days and get some players in that can help us, it would end a very good window for us.”

So Rodgers gave little away about missing out on Willian but his demeanor spoke a thousand words as the Liverpool boss appeared downbeat throughout his press conference. The former Swansea man has clearly got ambitious plans but seems to be missing out on his top targets this summer, much to his and the fans frustration.

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Which defender would Liverpool fans like the club to buy? Are you disappointed to miss out on Willian? Share your views below.