Rodgers: Liverpool's Growth Saw Lazar Markovic and Dejan Lovren Reject Offers From Other Clubs

Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool's growth has helped summer signings Lazar Markovic and Dejan Lovren turn down offers from other clubs.

The Serbian international arrived at Anfield from Benfica, while the Premier League defender left Southampton to join the Merseyside club. During the Northern Irishman's debut season, the Reds finished seventh in the league table.

However, Liverpool bounced back during the previous campaign where they lost the league title to Manchester City by two points on the final day of the season. Rodgers says the club's growth over the years has helped Markovic and Lovren reject offers from clubs in order to join Liverpool.

"Lovren was a guy sought after by a number of clubs but for him to say he only wanted to come to Liverpool was great," Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo.

"Young Markovic had two or three other clubs there waiting to take him, clubs where he had mates from his international team, but he wanted to come to Liverpool."

"These guys watch football throughout Europe. They watch us and want to be part of what we're doing. It's the growth. It hasn't just happened by accident."

"A lot of work and time has gone in both on and off the field. The most important thing is to have an identity. There is real excitement around the club," he added.

Along with Markovic and Lovren, the Reds have signed Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Emre Can, Divock Origi, Javier Manquillo and have now agreed a deal in principle with Sevilla for Alberto Moreno.

Rodgers says Liverpool's ability to attract players in the transfer window is down to the Reds' progress in the past few years.

"That ability to attract top players is great. It's a huge indication of the progress of the club – a really good symbol of where club is at. We have made huge strides in the last couple of years," the Liverpool manager said.

"If you're a football player in Europe watching how we played last season and saw our supporters, your reaction would be that you'd want to play in that environment."

"It's the most competitive league in the world and this is one of the biggest clubs in the world. It's a team that plays exciting football. I'm happy with the players we have got in, and we'll be set up for an exciting season," Rodgers concluded.