Brendan Rodgers: Liverpool don’t have a large transfer budget

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers reveals he does not have the level of funds Kenny Dalglish had at his disposal at Anfield

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By TSR staff Thursday 16 August 2012, 17:55 UK

Brendan Rodgers replaced Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool manager in MayPhoto: WBUR, via Flickr

brendan rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has revealed he does not have the luxury of a lavish transfer budget at Liverpool this summer, despite Kenny Dalglish having spent big during his spell at Anfield.

The 39-year-old has signed Fabio Borini and Joe Allen for a total of £25m since taking charge in May, with Dirk Kuyt leaving the Reds to join Fenerbahçe and Alberto Aquilani moving back to Italy with Fiorentina.

Dalglish spent over £120m in his 18-month stint as Liverpool boss, which included a club record £35m fee for Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll in January 2011.

But despite the lack of funds, Rodgers is still eyeing a number of cut-price deals before the transfer window closes.

“The reality is that we didn’t have the money this year. That’s the reality of it,” said Rodgers at a news conference on Thursday.

“There’s a certain budget that we’ve had to work within. And even to get those one or two players in, we’ve had to move one or two out. That was the way it was.

“It’s not something that worries me or frustrates me. It’s the real world that we’re in here. And now we’ve just got to make sure that we’re effective with the players that we bring in, and that they can make a difference to us.”

Dalglish was sacked after the club finished in a disappointing eighth place in the Premier League last season.

And Rodgers insists he is under no illusions about the size of his task at Anfield but is hoping the Reds can improve on last season’s performance.

“The biggest challenge is to keep improving. That’s the biggest challenge of all. Everyone wants to win trophies and titles. That’s why you come to a club like this,” he added.

“The main objective this year is to show improvement and gain stability within the club. These are the challenges that lie ahead for us. It’s been traumatic here over the last few years.

“Kenny Dalglish is an icon of this club, and some great people have worked here. It’s my job to follow in their footsteps and try to get the tradition of this great club back on track.”