Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool’s summer transfer business is not finished yet, with the boss looking to fine tune his squad before the 2014-15 campaign kicks off, reports Liverpoolfc.com.
Speaking after the Reds beat Manchester City 3-1 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the Yankees Stadium in New York, Rodgers revealed he is still on the lookout for players to strengthen his squad – despite signing six new players already this summer.
He said: “We still have some positions that we want to fill within the squad so that by the end of August we have a strong group of players to go forward with. We’ve still got some business to do.”
The boss also revealed he is not ruling out players stepping up who had perhaps previously not been considered, one of those possibly being Sebastian Coates.
The Uruguayan centre back has been given a chance to stake a claim during pre-season, and has produced some impressive performances.
“Every player has an opportunity,” Rodgers said. “Seba was out for a lot of last season. He’s done well in pre-season, he has been very composed on the ball and he passes it well. He has done well.”
Having now completed five pre season matches, the Northern Irishman is confident his squad is moulding together nicely ahead of the big kick off in just over a fortnights time.
He continued: “We’ve brought in specific players for specific roles, players that have the profile of how we work. It’s going to take a little bit more time than normal in terms of their induction.
“But for a lot of the players that have come in, the transition has been very smooth – they are good characters with good personality and fit the criteria that we want in terms of the model of our game.
“That should make the adjustment that bit easier. Of course some of them are young and coming to a different country, like Emre Can. That will take a little bit of time.
“But what we have seen overall is something that has been a trademark of this team over the last 18 months – character. Even in a pre-season game, it was highly competitive and the players showed character to keep going and come back.
“They made some very good blocks and defended well. It was a really good game. The players are transitioning very well, though it will take a little bit of time.”
In rodgers we trust