Daniel Agger Considers Liverpool Exit as Dejan Lovren Nears Anfield Move

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has dropped a strong hint that he could be heading for the exit door at Anfield in the ongoing transfer window.

The Reds vice-captain started just 16 Premier League matches in the previous campaign as Brendan Rodgers favoured last summer signing Mamadou Sakho to be paired alongside Martin Skrtel.

The Premier League runners-up are believed to be nearing a £20m acquisition of Dejan Lovren from Southampton, which will certainly push the Denmark International further down the pecking order next season.

Earlier this year, the former Brondby star had revealed that he doesn't want to be a third choice player at Liverpool. The vice-captain's latest comments have further fuelled talks about his potential exit this summer.

"It is no secret that I had problems last season and I am considering things. How things turned out last season is not acceptable for me," Agger explained.

"I am here now and it is up to me to show the coach that I should play. Many things can happen in football and I do not want to exclude anything."

Agger, who still has two years remaining in his contract, has also been urged by his national team manager Morten Olsen to consider his future with the Merseyside club. He is currently in the USA for Liverpool's pre-season matches against AS Roma, Olympiakos, Manchester City and AC Milan.

Reports emerging at the end of the last season suggested that Barcelona have earmarked Agger as a replacement for the retired Carles Puyol.

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who is currently managing Napoli, is also believed to be keeping tabs on the 29-year-old's situation.

Following their first pre-season fixture against Brondby, Rodgers praised him and pointed out that the Dane is a vital member of his squad for the upcoming campaign.

"Daniel is one of a number of excellent players that we have playing at the back. He has been unfortunate in the time that I've been at the club because the big issue for Dan has been his availability," the 41-year-old Northern Irishman stressed.

"He has just been unfortunate with injuries. He's an excellent player, an international captain and he's had a very good career at Liverpool. He's at a good age, 29, and his experience can be good for us this season."

"He signed a new contract last season. You saw tonight in the first half (against Brondby) that he's an excellent player, a very good footballer and someone that is an important member of our squad," the former Swansea City boss concluded.