LIVERPOOL COACH Brendan Rodgers has refused to rule out defender Daniel Agger leaving before the transfer window closes.
Defending Premier League champions Manchester City are planning a £20 million offer for the Danish international with the lure of wages of up to £100,000 a week, while Barcelona are also interested.
Rodgers said he never wants to lose key personnel but concedes every player has their price and with regards to Agger, it is a case of waiting to see what unfolds between now and the end of the month.
“Daniel is a top player and you do not want to lose your best players,” he said. ”He has been here seven years. He loves the club and its supporters.
“But every player has his price and we will see where it goes.”
Another player being linked with a Liverpool exit is Andy Carroll, with Newcastle and West Ham strongly pursuing his signature. Rodgers has been delighted with Carroll’s attitude shown by Carroll and understands his desire to play regular first-team football.
“Between now and the end of the window there are going to be players feeling a little bit unsure and insecure,” Rodgers said. ”There is a new manager and more players to come in, but Andy has been terrific.
“He knows exactly where he stands. He is like everyone else. He has to fight for their position. There are not many clubs you could go to and be a guaranteed starter. I understand Andy wants to play games, but he really enjoys it here.
“I have had a number of conversations with him and we will see how that develops.”
Meanwhile, the former Swansea manager has revealed there was firm interest from other clubs in signing forward Luis Suarez. However the 25-year-old penned a new improved long-term deal with the Anfield club earlier this week after returning from Olympic duty, ending speculation of a potential move.
Despite having four years remaining on his initial contract, Suarez has now tripled his wages to be one of the club’s top earners on around £100,000 pounds a week.
“There was genuine interest from other clubs,” Rodgers told Sky Sports. ”I had only just come through the door when a fax came through about him. It is brilliant that someone of that quality has agreed to stay with the club. It is great for the Premier League.
“It is a new beginning for him. There are very few world class strikers around. He is a very important signing for the club. He is still young and has his best years ahead of him.”
Liverpool opens their Premier League campaign away to West Bromwich Albion on August 18.
Its not every week you would have a South African cutting all ties in playing with his country to play for Ireland. I would say best of luck to him. He might teach the Ulster players the national anthem is well.
Delighted to have you Mr Strauss. The more of you the better. Who needs home-grown players anyway? Big Jack certainly showed us how!
agree. what has nationailty got to do with anything anyway. surely, the days of ‘nationailsm’ are over (except for enterprises like The Shakedown). ireland is made up of people from all over the place now. if you live here, why not be allowed to play for the irish team?
@Ian
Over the years, many Ulster players were threatened by Loyalists about singing the National Anthem so many still don’t
What do ya mean? Sure wasn’t Tommy Bowe belting it out!
To expect Northern players to sing the national anthem of the Republic of Ireland is as ludicrous as expecting the Southern players to sing God Save the Queen
They are playing for IRELAND. They should sing the IRISH anthem. It’s about time we did away with that clap trap Ireland’s Call….such an embarrassment. Likening it to the southern lads singing god save the queen is a ludicrous argument. It’s the IRISH rugby team!
@PatD
Yes, its the IRISH rugby team, not the Rep of Ireland rugby team. If Richardt wanted to show his commitment to the country he has made his home then I have no problem with it (and fair play to him for it). Just as I have no problem with any of the lads taking pride in signing their national anthem on home soil. But its not the anthem of the team nor should it be. The team is made up of Irish men from every county including those in NI, it transcends political borders and all the shíte that goes with bickering over those borders and long may it stay that way.
New Zealand have been doing exactly the same thing with Fuji and Samoa for years!
Congratulations to Richard. We’re delighted to have you.
If i was Rory best id be an extremely worried hooker
Tommy Bowe is an Ulsterman true, but also a Monaghan man.
Actually a Kildare man. Born and bred in Rathangan. Go and ask him…
The family did move to Monaghan afterwards I might add. Not to offend the Monaghan clan.
Strauss has a way to go yet to match Besty. Rory Best has one of the highest tackle counts in Irish rugby, hits his man and is a very good scrummager. The only hooker in Ireland needing to be worried is Cronin, who could see his bench place taken by Richardt.
The most important thing is he wants to play for Ireland after that if he’s the best ( no pun intended ) hooker then he plays. I’m happy he’s with us.
Chris, some sort of record – 48 thumbs up and no thumbs down!!!
Straussy is a legend!! Loved him singing the anthem
absolutely
hypocrisy,if o Driscoll or paul o Connell cut all ties with Ireland and joined England and sang god save the queen you’d all be out with your pitchfork and flaming torches baying for blood
As far as i know a former ulster player , Irish born and bred, recently declared for the scotch
your irish now boy keep up the good work
delighted to see Richardt declaring for Ireland, best of luck in your international carreer