Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers hopes Martin Skrtel will sign a new deal and is not aware of any bids for the defender.
Skrtel gave an interview in Slovakia, suggesting there had been interest in the 27 year-old, but just like the supposed interest in Luis Suarez from Juventus, Rodgers hasn’t received any formal offers for the player.
Liverpool hopes to conclude negotiations on a new deal with the Slovakian and are bemused by suggestions there has been any breakdown in those conversations. The club expects talks to continue in the coming weeks.
Skrtel featured in the opening game of Rodgers’ reign in Canada on Saturday, a low-key 1-1 draw with Toronto, and the Liverpool manager said he would fight to keep his centre-back.
He told the Telegraph: I’ve heard nothing from any other club. Martin has been fantastic and seems happy and contented. He fits into my plans and ideas. I will fight as hard as I can to keep the players that I want here and he is one of them.
“Unfortunately there is always that rumour, speculation and gossip and until the window closes that will continue.”
The Merseyside club is desperate to keep hold of their key players as Rodgers prepares for his first season in charge. He's already held positive talks with Suarez over the phone about his commitment to Anfield and hopes that like Skrtel, he will also sign an improved contract shortly.
Rodgers said: “I’m confident he is really looking forward to playing for us this season and is really looking forward to this way of football.
“I have spoken to him and had nothing but positivity from him. He is obviously at the Olympics and I wish him well, but I will wish him better when he comes back.”
The new Liverpool boss doesn’t have much time to make any changes to his squad, as their season will start in just over a week against opposition from either Belarus or Macedonia in a Europa League qualifier.
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