Brendan Rodgers Denies Liverpool Close to Javier Manquillo Deal

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says the club have not yet clinched a deal to sign Atletico Madrid full-back Javier Manquillo but remains keen on adding further signings in the summer transfer window.

The Reds have already made six additions however are still keen on recruiting a new full-back and a replacement for Luis Suarez, who has joined Barcelona.

Manquillo has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield, with the 20 year old having reportedly flown to Merseyside ahead of a medical before sealing his loan move to Liverpool.

But Rodgers, following his side's 3-1 friendly defeat to Manchester United, was unable to update the progress of Manquillo's move however is adamant the club need further additions to challenge on four fronts this term.

"There is nothing as of yet, because of the time difference I've not been able to speak to the directors and my concentration was on preparing the players for this final game," said Rodgers.

"We've got a few that we want to bring in. We know the areas that we want to target for a number of months so hopefully we can close them out and the squad will be ready to challenge on every front."

Rickie Lambert, Emre Can, Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana, Lazar Markovic and Divock Origi have joined Liverpool this summer, in an effort to improve on a 2<sup>nd place finish last season which saw the club miss out on a first league title for 24 years by two points.

However, the central issue for Liverpool this summer has been identifying a replacement for Suarez, who netted 31 league goals for the club last term and finished the campaign as the double player of the year.

A deal to bring Loic Remy to the club failed last month after a problem with the French international's medical and as yet Liverpool have not identified a second viable candidate.