Liverpool: Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool’s transfer business proves the club have become more attractive to top stars since securing their Champions League return. The Liverpool manager believes several of those recruited over the past two months, the latest of whom, Alberto Moreno, was due to undergo a medical on Thursday, would not have joined the club a year ago.
Rodgers says that is because of the style of football as much as Champions League qualification.
“That ability to attract top players is great,” said Rodgers. “It’s a huge indication of the progress of the club, a really good symbol of where the club is at. We have made huge strides in the last couple of years. “Dejan Lovren was a really good player for Lyon. He was a guy sought after by a number of clubs but for him to say he wanted to come only to Liverpool was great.
“Young Lazar Markovic had two or three other clubs there waiting to take him, clubs where he had mates from his international team, but he wanted to come to Liverpool. These guys watch football throughout Europe. They watch us and want to be part of what we’re doing.
“If you’re a football player in Europe watching how we played last season and saw our supporters, your reaction would be that you’d want to play in that environment. It’s a team that plays exciting football.”
Liverpool were frustrated a year ago when a series of high-profile targets eluded them, Rodgers believing the lack of Champions League football was the determining factor.
Liverpool have only one remaining priority before the transfer window closes — a striker — and attracting a stellar name to replace Luis Suarez has been difficult. Samuel Eto’o remains a serious option.
Moreno, meanwhile, was expected to complete the formalities of his £12 million move from Sevilla within 24 hours.
— The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2014
