Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted that the club are finding it difficult to attract top players even after their return to Champions League football. The Reds, this season, played their first Champions League games since 2009.
However, this joy has proven to be short lived after they failed to get past the group stages and have been demoted to the Europa League as a result. It has been several years since Liverpool last signed a top player. The task will get difficult in the summer as they attempt to replace captain and icon Steven Gerrard, who departs for LA Galaxy on a free transfer.
Luis Suarez was the big-name departure last summer and Liverpool have failed to adequately replace him. Since they have not done well in recent seasons,Rodgers says that it is tough to bring top names to the club. Liverpool have not been criticised of a lack of ambition, as they have pursued players like Alexis Sanchez only to witness the Chilean favour a move to Arsenal. Sanchez has been one of the best players in the league since his £ 35 million arrival to the Emirates stadium. Liverpool need to find a player of this stature in order to comfortably qualify for the Champions League every season.
“Last season, after nearly winning the league and qualifying for the Champions League and playing a game that excited people, we were in a great position to attract a high level of player. We have to believe that the status of this club and the idea that the club moving forward will make players still want to come here. The team has changed and the players have changed but the great name of Liverpool is still the same. For a lot of players it’s two things – game time and money, simple as that,” said Rodgers.