Liverpool Transfer News: No Bids for Martin Skrtel, Insists Rodgers as Manager Targets New Central Defender

Aug 23, 2013 12:29 AM EDT

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insisted the club have not received any bid for Martin Skrtel, while revealing he would look to bring in a new central defender after Sebastian Coates was ruled out for possibly the whole season through injury.

Reports have suggested Napoli have seen a bid of around £10 million ($15.6 million) turned down by Liverpool as Rafa Benitez looks to be reunited with his former player.

However, according to Rodgers, no bids have been lodged for the Slovakian international from any club.

When asked if there had been an official approach for Skrtel, Rodgers said: "No, not all.

"I haven't been told anything about that whatsoever. It was mentioned this morning but it is the first I have heard of it.

"Ian Ayre, our managing director, does a terrific job and he always informs me straight away of anything. I haven't heard anything."

Skrtel was third-choice last season after losing his place to Jamie Carragher. The 28-year-old now faces competition from Kolo Toure, but with Coates getting injured, Rodgers said Liverpool were in fact looking to bring in another central defender rather than selling one.

"I think it is something we are looking at certainly, a player to come in in that position," he said.

"One to strengthen the squad and two to allow some of our younger players to develop.

"I think to maximise Andre Wisdom's talent we need to get him some games and the idea is to get him out on loan.

"We can only do that if I get in someone with more experience to support the group.

"I feel for big Seba. He has obviously played in the latter part of that game and picked up a similar injury to what Martin Skrtel had last year.

"It is probably going to rule him out for most of the season, which is a big problem.

"He's never given me a moment's problem since I came in here.

"This was probably a year where he needed to go out and play. This has unfortunately put an end to that."

Liverpool did sign a defender this week with left-back Aly Cissokho joining from Valencia on a season-long loan and Rodgers expects the 25-year-old to challenge Luis Enrique for a place in the starting XI.

"I think he provides competition for Enrique," Rodgers added. "He is a player with experience.

"A few years back he went for 15 million euros. He is a player with qualities.

"The idea was to build a squad and to make it competitive. It was important to bring in someone so that if anything happens to Jose he can come straight into the team, and to fight for the position.

"Hopefully that will get the best out of both of them."

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