Source: team_talk
Rodgers must move on quickly
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers must quickly move on from his transfer deadline-day disappointment as Arsenal visit Anfield this weekend.
Rodgers had hoped to make late additions on the final day of the summer window but the deadline passed without any new arrivals.
A goalscorer had been top priority, particularly after club-record £35million signing Andy Carroll was allowed to join West Ham on loan, but nothing materialised.
A deal to bring United States midfielder or forward Clint Dempsey to Merseyside from Fulham had been hugely anticipated but talks broke down and the player signed for Tottenham instead.
Speaking before the deadline, Rodgers made clear he wanted another forward. "Absolutely," he said. "That was what I felt coming in from the off.
"I felt we needed to have greater threats in the team, not just one or two."
The failure to land Dempsey, who scored 23 goals mostly from midfield last season, leaves Luis Suarez and recent signing Fabio Borini as his only senior strikers. Back-up will come from youngsters Raheem Sterling and Adam Morgan.
With Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing also leaving the club, Rodgers thought he had cleared the way financially for extra recruits.
He said: "Sometimes it is not through choice. If it was carte-blanche and I could do what I wish maybe some of these players wouldn't be out of the door.
"But the reality is the finances always dictate how you can build and how you work with your squad.
"Unfortunately for where we are at, we have to rebuild. If that means one or two players going out to finance that, that is a decision we are going to have to make.
"It is now the job here at the football to reinforce the squad and make sure we bring in players that can help the group."
Despite the frustration, Rodgers will hope last week's creditable 2-2 draw against Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City can kickstart his side's season.
The Reds crashed to a 3-0 defeat at West Brom in their opener and they now host an Arsenal side who have made an indifferent start to their campaign.
The Gunners have drawn both of their games without scoring and their transfer window was noted more for departures than arrivals.
But Rodgers said: "It was always going to be a difficult start for us.
"Even though Arsenal haven't scored, they are obviously a multi-talented team. It always presents a difficult game.
"Performance-wise, if we play similar to last week and how we have played a number of times since I have been here, it sets us up well."
One new signing who will be available to Rodgers is Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin, who arrived on a season-long loan from Real Madrid earlier in the week.
The 23-year-old was linked with Arsenal earlier in the summer but was enticed by the prospect of playing for new boss Rodgers, who is trying to establish a high-tempo passing game.
Sahin said: "I have spoken to many clubs before. When we decided with (coach Jose) Mourinho and Real Madrid that I would go out for a year on loan, I had a lot of offers and I am really thankful to all the clubs that were interested in me.
"But in the end I chose Liverpool because I think Brendan Rodgers and the project of Liverpool is the best for me at the moment.
"When we spoke to Madrid they wanted me to play in the Champions League and I wanted also to play in the Champions League.
"But the project of Liverpool - they are a club that has to play in the Champions League every year - I think the challenge to bring Liverpool to the top four and the Champions League is quite good.
"That is a reason why I am here - the challenge is there and I take that challenge."
Sahin sampled the Anfield atmosphere during the compelling 2-2 draw with City and is now eager to get out on the field himself.
He said: "It will be a nice game. I would say the match against Manchester City was amazing and here, there will be two teams trying to play football.
"I think for the supporters in the stadium and the people who watch on television, it will be a great game. Both teams try to pass the ball."
