Brendan Rodgers Dashes Ezequiel Lavezzi Liverpool Transfer Rumours, Latest News

Despite reports claiming that Liverpool are on the brink of signing Paris Saint-Germain's Ezequiel Lavezzi, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has insisted that it’s looking increasingly unlikely that the club will bring in any new faces in the January transfer window.

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According to Jamie McLaughlin of Metro, the Reds are poised to complete a £14 million deal for the PSG striker before the deadline closes. But Rodgers all but ruled out the prospect of the club making any purchases in the coming days, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo:

That news may not be quite as alarming as it may have seemed at the start of the month. A change of system has helped Liverpool rediscover some of their swagger in recent weeks, with Raheem Sterling playing a starring role for the Reds at the point of the attack.

There have been some concerns about the 20-year-old’s long-term future at the club, though. Despite Rodgers claiming that negotiations regarding a new contract were set to be concluded imminently, the player is reported to have rejected the improved terms offered to him by the club, per Soriebah Kajue of the Daily Mirror.

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But Rodgers has alleviated the fears of Reds’ supporters, insisting that there is nothing to worry about when it comes to Sterling’s future:

Another player who is beginning to look a little like his old self again is Simon Mignolet. The goalkeeper suffered a horrendous run of form at the back end of 2014, but after being dropped and recalled by his manager, there have been some signs that he is beginning to recapture his best form.

That was on show in earnest during Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the semi-final of the League Cup as Mignolet made a string of excellent saves, and Rodgers paid tribute to the Belgian’s turnaround in fortunes:

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Rodgers was involved in a spat on the sideline with Blues boss Jose Mourinho during that game, as an ill-tempered affair on the pitch threatened to spill over into the dugout. But the Liverpool manager insisted that there is no real animosity between himself and the Portuguese:

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The Northern Irishman went on to look ahead to the team’s upcoming clash with the Hammers, and he had some good news on the injury front for the Anfield faithful. Striker Daniel Sturridge is expected to return to the fold for for this one, and Rodgers teased that he’s been looking very sharp in the buildup to what should be a difficult contest:

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Defender Mamadou Sakho also looks as though he’ll be fit for the game. The Frenchman was brought off with a knock against the Blues, and after some encouraging recent displays, his omission would be a major blow for the Reds’ vastly improved defensive structure.

Rodgers admitted that the former PSG man missed one day of training, but he should be fit to start the match against Sam Allardyce’s West Ham United:

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Although there will be plenty of fans disappointed by the news that no new signings are likely to be brought in, things are looking very positive for the Reds at this juncture. The return of Sturridge should give everyone at the club a major lift, as will Sterling’s new deal when that eventually gets hauled over the line.

For those of a red persuasion, hopefully Liverpool can carry this confidence into the clash with the Hammers. Rodgers’ men will be desperate to bounce back from cup disappointments this week, and with a squad that’s looking increasingly close to full fitness, this match has the potential to be a catalyst for a really strong run of form for the Merseysiders.