Brendan Rodgers Confirms Daniel Agger's Retention for Southampton Visit

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says Daniel Agger will start against Southampton this weekend despite being withdrawn after an hour in the 4-3 win over Swansea City.

Agger struggled against the physicality of Wilfried Bony at Anfield and was replaced by Kolo Toure after 63 minutes before the Reds went on to claim all three points via Jordan Henderson's late goal.

Coupled with the uncertainty regarding the Dane's long-term future at Liverpool after missing out on a move to Barcelona last summer, questions have again been asked over Agger's role under Rodgers having only made 10 league starts this season.

But the Northern Irishman has moved to defend Agger who the Liverpool boss says will make up part of his back-four upon the visit to Southampton on Saturday.

"There has been a lot of spotlight, unfairly, on Daniel this week. What happened to Daniel was no different to what happened to any player," said the Reds boss.

"Just because it's a defender, it maybe gets highlighted a bit more, but we made the change and we won the game.

"It's no different to a winger coming off, or a striker or a midfield player.

"I don't judge players on the status of where they are in the group - it's what I think the game needs at a certain time.

"We made the change and Dan has taken it like the man he is.

"He has been outstanding in training this week and he will play on Saturday, no question about that."

The 29 year old Agger began the season as first choice in the Liverpool defence but a rib injury picked up in the defeat to Southampton early in the campaign derailed his season.

Appearances have since been infrequent after his recovery and with Rodgers plotting more signings in the off season to ensure Liverpool's recent improvement continues, Agger could become a makeweight for any big money move.