Is the boss correct?
Our manager is confident that we can still buy top players this summer with or without Champions League qualification.
Even having qualified for this season’s competition, we failed to bring in a marquee player, while rivals Man United, who did not of course qualify, signed world renowned talent such as Angel di Maria and Falcao (although brilliantly, neither has lived up to their billing).
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Liverpool transfer gossip
Whether we have the financial clout to bring in players of genuine European pedigree without the Champions League carrot is another matter.
Rodgers though, is confident that this summer will be different, the Mirror reports.
“Liverpool will always be an attractive offer for players, whether we are in the Champions League or not. People think you cannot attract players if you are not in the Champions League, but Liverpool will always be a huge attraction,” he bagn.
“That’s not just because of the history of the club, but also because of what we are trying to do here. Players will look at us and see a team and squad evolving, and they will want to be a part of that.”
Rodgers’ hopeful comments do not hide the fact that missing out on the top four will potentially stunt our progress.
Currently, we’re seven points adrift of fourth placed Manchester City, but that could rise to ten if the Premier League champions defeat rivals Manchester United today.
If City lose, and we beat Newcastle on Monday, the gap will be down to four points – and the race for the crucial final Champions League qualifying spot will be back on.
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Rodgers did go on to concede that he’d naturally be delighted to work in Europe’s premier club competition, of course.
“It’s natural that every player, coach and manager would love to work in the Champions League. There are players here who spent a long time not being in the Champions League,” he continued.
“We were in it this year, we loved the competition, and we want to be there consistently over a number of years. Most players, of course, want to play at that level, but they also want to know their game is improving and they will get the opportunity to play football.
“It boils down to that, as well as the other things.
“But this is one of the greatest clubs in the world and this club will always be an attraction for a player.”