Liverpool news and rumour round-up: Saturday’s biggest stories for the Reds…
Rodgers: Liverpool will make top four
Brendan Rodgers continues to hold an “inherent, absolute belief” that Liverpool will qualify for next season’s Champions League by finishing in the Premier League’s top four.
The Reds have lost their last three Premier League games on the bounce, and have taken just four points from their last 15, but they are still only five points off the top four.
“I have an inherent belief that we can still make the top four,” Rodgers said. “Absolutely. I know what we are all capable of here.”
Carragher: Gerrard needs a break
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has insisted club captain Steven Gerrard is desperate for a rest, and has claimed that Brendan Rodgers is fully aware of the player’s shortcomings.
Carragher claims Gerrard has reached the stage of his career where his body needs managing and, according to him, that means regular rest.
He praised the club for their management of their skipper, saying: “Brendan Rodgers and his medical staff have done a superb job managing Steven’s fitness.”
Rodgers backs Mignolet to improve
Brendan Rodgers has also offered his support to under-fire goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, whose latest mistake came in the mid-week Champions League draw with Ludogorets.
The Liverpool manager revealed yesterday has had a heart to heart with his number one, and insists his state of mind is fine to face the physical challenge of Stoke at the weekend.
“Migonolet is fine. I had a good chat with him. We paid a lot of money for him to come in, and he has saved us in a lot of games over my time.”
Wilfried Bony claims he was never close to joining Liverpool
Reports in the Guardian carry quotes from Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony, who has insisted a summer move to Liverpool was never a realistic possibility.
Bony told reporters: “If you score 20 to 25 goals, then people talk about that, for sure, but there was not a real proposition.”
“I one time did that when I was at Vitesse [tried to orchestrate a move away], it caused a lot of problems at the club, so I don’t think I will do it again. Something can happen, football is crazy. But now I just think about my team and how happy I am here at Swansea, which you can see.”
Balotelli exit and transfer news
Mario Balotelli’s agent is working on securing his client a January move to Napoli – according to reports in the Italian media. He could be joined by Ezequiel Lavezzi, who is interested in leaving PSG.
According to the Daily Express, Arsenal and Liverpool are interesting in signing Isco after Real Madrid named their price for the Spanish midfielder – £64m.
Meanwhile, the Express also claims that Liverpool are confident of signing goalkeeper Sergio Romero in January, snatching him under the noses of Manchester United.