Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers aiming to discover more local talent

10 January 2013 09:02
Brendan Rodgers has admitted it is fashionable to sign players from Spain but he is keen to bring through more youngsters from the Liverpool area.

Liverpool have a fine tradition of discovering local heroes and currently have Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher in their squad at Anfield. Rodgers believes Merseyside is a hotbed of talent and intends to concentrate on unearthing some new stars rather than plundering other countries.

"My big thing is getting young players in here from the local area - here in Liverpool," said the Reds boss.

"Name me the best two players in England in the last six or seven years - Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, and they're Scousers.

"You can't tell me there are not top young talents in Liverpool. I know it is sexy to look in Spain, and I'm one who loves working with European players, but I want players from here, too.

"This club has a history for that with Carragher, Gerrard, Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler and imagine if we could find more players like them."

Rodgers prides himself on getting the best out of exciting youngsters and he is convinced there will be players who can follow in the footsteps of Gerrard and Carragher.

"I love working with the talents and all my life I have worked with players from different parts of the world," said Rodgers.

"But we mustn't forget what is on our doorstep and, for me, Liverpool is a hotbed for footballers.

"They have passion, hunger and incredible qualities and we are looking from them. That is a massive part of my job and finding these players is something we are trying to put in place."

Source: team_talk