Rodgers struggles to cope with Dalglish legacy
Twelve months ago Dalglish started the new season with over £80m of his own signings in the shape of Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Dowling.
None of that quartet were in the side that lost 2-0 at home to Arsenal to leave Liverpool third from bottom of the Premiership with one point from their opening three matches.
On Thursday Rodgers released Andy Carroll on loan to West Ham expecting to bring in a new striker but found his £6m bid for Clint Dempsey blocked by the club owners, the Fenway Sports Group.
An Anfield return for Michael Owen would have been dismissed a fortnight ago but in their current situation Rodgers can’t afford to rule out any striker.
“I can’t say no,” he admitted when asked about a move for Owen or Didier Drogba who may be about to be released by Shanghai Shenhua. “Any player I believe can improve the squad, I will look at.
“We have a very small group. We had 19 training (on Friday). It is something that would have to be discussed.
“I am not here to cry. Whatever has happened, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am very proud to manage this club. I have made it my life.
“I felt we needed reinforcements. That is the reality. But it is gone now. The window is shut. We have to concentrate on the players who are already here.
“There is no doubt the finances here had to be changed. That was the reality. We have lost nine players and brought in three. From a business side the club has done well.
“What we have to do in the future is look after the football side. Hopefully in the next window – and the ones after – we can transition a group that allows us to compete.
“But it is a learning process for the owners as well. They invested £100million into the club and then changed one of the most iconic figures at the club.
“They made a big commitment to have me here for the longer term and have been very up front with me.
“There are one or two things we need to iron out. If we do that it will help us in the next window and the ones after. But they have not misled me.”
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