Brendan Rodgers has issued a warning siren to a group of Liverpool players ahead of the summer transfer window, insisting that certain players need to select gametime over money when given the option this summer.
Liverpool have, in recent transfer windows, seen players opt to stay on Merseyside in favour of a bigger pay packet, upon Liverpool accepting an offer for them from elsewhere.
This was the case last summer, when Fabio Borini decided to stay at L4 despite the Reds having accepted transfer offers from both Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers. At the time, Rodgers explained to Borini that he must leave to further his career, but the Italian decided to stay. The striker has started just five games this season, scoring a solitary goal.
It is believed that players in this 'group' include misfit striker Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert, Jose Enrique, Sebastian Coates and Luis Alberto. Liverpool will look to offload them, but can't force a player to leave whilst they're still under contract, but Rodgers hopes that certain players will make smart decisions come July.
“It’s the modern game. It’s how it is,” said Rodgers.
“It’s hard to leave a club like Liverpool. It is very difficult, that’s the reality of it. You have to respect that.
“It’s one where a player comes in and he signs his contract here for a duration of time.
“You also work to the notion that players will want to play. Most players work hard all week in training because of the game. And if they are not playing that obviously makes it difficult for them.
“If you haven’t been playing for a sustained period of time then of course it’s something you’ll look at. I’m sure as a player you want to be playing, no matter the greatness of the club or the size of the club. Ultimately, it’s about playing. I’m sure some will be looking to assess that over the summer.”