Transfer Centre

Brendan Rodgers: 'We don't need big-name Luis Suarez replacement'

By Paul Gorst, Reporter | 23 July 2014

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says that he won't spend all the £75m of the Luis Suarez deal on the pursuit of a 'big-name' player.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed that he won't squander the £75m received for Luis Suarez on the pursuit of a 'big-name' player.

The Reds have so far spent around £60m on Adam Lallana, Emre Can, Rickie Lambert and Lazar Markovic, but have yet to delve significantly into the mammoth fee that they were given for the Uruguayan striker by Barcelona.

Dejan Lovren and Divock Origi are reportedly close to moves to Anfield, while Loic Remy is expected to be confirmed later this week.

Rodgers is quoted as saying by The Telegraph: "Maybe for the media there is guessing how we spend the money but you only spend the money if the players are there. What we can't do is spend for the sake of it. The players we've brought in are players we wanted anyway.

"Our signings are strategic. They are not just names. They all fit into the purpose of the team, but of course we want them to make a contribution. If that means we do not spend all the money or the net spend is the same, then so be it.

"There is a responsibility [to spend well]. I have always said at every club I've been at, the club's money is my money. I work for the club. I'm there to serve the club and run it the best I can on the field and work with the owners off it. They know I push for the best players to come in and they trust how we work. I would not pay more than a value. If clubs sense there is an opportunity to get more out of us it won't happen."

The Reds play Roma in the early hours of Thursday morning.