Rodgers: I planned for Sanchez at Liverpool

Daniel Storey

Brendan Rodgers have blamed Liverpool’s transfer committee for many of his problems at the club.

Rodgers, speaking on Goals on Sunday on Sky Sports, strongly hinted that he never wanted Mario Balotelli, and had planned around getting Alexis Sanchez.

“I was asked a question and I didn’t think Mario fitted our style of play,” Rodgers said.

“The huge blow for us was we felt we were getting Alexis Sanchez as a like-for-like replacement for Luis Suarez. He was going to be perfect for us.

“Come the end of the summer, when we were struggling to bring in the type of player we wanted, the ownership group thought this was a player I could develop.

“When the owners want you to go down that route, and there are no other options, you give it a go.

“Whenever the owners want you to have a go, that’s my job to manage the club. We had to bring in someone.”

Rodgers also says that he has had a number of offers, but wanted to recover before his next challenge.

The former Liverpool manager says that clubs in England and abroad have offered him a chance to get back into the game, and that he is ready to take his next challenge.

“I’ve been spending time with the family, travelling. It’s so intense as a manager but I wanted to make sure I take a bit of time then look to the next challenge,” he told Goals on Sunday.

“Hopefully, come the summer, I can get back in. It’s something I’d consider, I’ve had offers since I’ve been out both abroad and at home but I want to take the time to recover and ensure my motivation is as renewed as it can be.

“I would go wherever as long as it’s exciting and the club want to work with me and work together. Wherever you go, you have to go to win. Whatever country you’re in, you have to want to be in with a chance of winning.

“Going close with Liverpool is something that really drives you.”

After being a guest on Goals on Sunday, Rodgers will also appear on Monday Night Football alongside Jamie Carragher.