Brendan Rodgers Hopeful Young Trio Can Provide Liverpool Firepower After Remy Deal Collapses

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has lavished praise on his attacking trio of Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Lazar Markovic after the club ended their attempts to bring Loic Remy to Anfield.

The Reds saw a bid of £8.5m accepted for France international Remy who appeared set to become the club's fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Emre Can and Markovic.

However, Liverpool have pulled out of the proposed deal at the 11<sup>th hour amid reports suggesting the club became aware of a number of concerns during the forward's medical.

"It is very simple, we have decided not to go ahead with the deal," Rodgers said about Remy, speaking after his side's 1-0 victory over Olympiakos.

"It's unfortunate for the player – we are obviously disappointed – but there is nothing more to be said. We move onto other targets."

The collapse of Remy's move to Anfield will raise further questions as to how the club will attempt to fill the void left by Luis Suarez, who joined Barcelona on a five-year deal earlier this month. But having watched over the youthful trio of Sterling, Sturridge and Markovic for the first time against Olympiakos on Sunday, Rodgers firmly believes his side have little to worry about in the final third.

"I'll just worry about the players I have, who showed in enough games last season and the season before, when we didn't have Luis, that we can score goals. That won't be an issue," Rodgers continued.

"I've seen a difference in Daniel since he came back; he has obviously got confidence from the World Cup and his season last year.

"I think he's ready to take on the mantle. He got 20-odd goals last season so he's a striker of great value.

"Markovic will only get better and better. He showed great strength when he burst through and hopefully later on when he picks up that speed and sharpness in his game, he'll go on and finish that.

"We've got good speed. Raheem Sterling is always a threat - he's a joy to watch. I thought those three were really exciting."