Liverpool target Timo Horn denies Premier League move interest and Simon Mignolet challenge

Cologne goalkeeper Timo Horn has become the latest player to reject a move to Liverpool as the club attempt to rebuild following their harrowing exit from the Champions League group stage.

The 1-1 draw with FC Basel sees the Reds drop into the Europa League and has drawn questions over the future of manager Brendan Rodgers and his judgment in the transfer window after just two of his ten summer additions started at Anfield.

Simon Mignolet, who joined Liverpool from Sunderland in the summer of 2013, has come under pressure following some uncertain displays during the opening 18 months of his Merseyside career, with reports abound that Rodgers could seek a replacement in January.

Horn, 21, is among the players to be linked with a move to Liverpool but the goalkeeper has no plans to leave Cologne and wants to continue talks regarding a new contract.

"I have said it more than once, I am in talks with FC Cologne [regarding a new contract]," he said. "I want to sign on with my club."

Agent Volker Struth added: "We have been told about those [Liverpool] rumours. However, no one contacted us directly."

With Liverpool's European campaign now on the back burner until February, the club can focus on improving their domestic fortunes, which see them in ninth in the Premier league and six points off a top-four spot.

And to bolster that challenge, captain Steven Gerrard wants to see fresh faces join Liverpool, while he is hopeful Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli can return from injury.

"We'll have to wait and see [over new signings]," he told ITV. "What is crucial is we try and get our main striker back [Daniel Sturridge] who is capable of getting the goal that can get us into the top four. We need to try and get Mario Balotelli back firing again as well.

"If we can get goals in the team, it gives us a bit of a chance. At the moment it's a bit of a roller-coaster. It's tough but take nothing away from the lads who are still here slogging it out every single week.

"Of course, this club always tries to strengthen, it always tries to improve and we dust ourselves down and go again."