Liverpool Transfer News: Brendan Rodgers Gives Update on Coutinho and Coates Transfers; Ince Reveals Top-Flight Dream

Jan 29, 2013 03:02 AM EST

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers reiterated the need to bring in a couple of players before the transfer window closes Thursday, while revealing the situations surrounding the futures of Philippe Coutinho and Sebastian Coates.

Coutinho is expected to complete a move to Anfield in the next couple of days after Liverpool reportedly agreed a fee with Inter Milan for the 20-year-old.

However, Rodgers refused to confirm or deny the move, while admitting the club were in talks with Inter.

"There's nothing to report," the former Swansea manager told reporters. "There's no-one signed yet. Whenever we do sign someone, I will let you know.

"There has been talk between the clubs but that is about it. There's nothing to report."

Another player that has been in the papers is Coates, who is looking to seal a move away from Anfield to get more playing time. There were reports suggesting the defender could be on his way back to South America with Brazilian club Gremio showing an interest.

However, Rodgers again said there was nothing concrete to report about and he would only send Coates away on loan or permanently, once he had cover in the defensive department.

"We haven't had any approaches," Rodgers said. "There's obviously lots of speculation and lots of rumours but so far we haven't had anything through from any club.

"I have said in the last couple of weeks that he is a player who I believe needs games and needs to go and play but obviously, I need to protect the club as well in relation to the size of the group.

"Everyone knows how small we are as a squad. It might be the best thing for Seba to go on loan, but it might not necessarily be the best thing for the club.

"There's still a few more days to go, so we'll assess that and take it from there."

Along with Coutinho, Liverpool are also expected to complete the signing of Thomas Ince from Blackpool, a move which has stalled since the beginning of the transfer window. Ince, though, is staying calm over the reports and wants to just concentrate on his game.

"Every player wants to play top level at some stage of their career," Ince was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

"But as far as I am concerned, if I am still a Blackpool player come Thursday then great. My attitude will never change and I won't go off the rails thinking, 'Why didn't I get this move or that move?'

"I will always work hard for this team and I am happy scoring goals for Blackpool. The club has given me the stage to express myself and the players allow me to do it."

Rodger admitted he is working extensively to ensure the club brings in a couple more new faces.

"Yesterday (Sunday's F.A. Cup loss to Oldham) highlighted that when we do change the team around, we don't quite have that bit of depth yet," Rodgers added.

"It was another marker in the fact that we want to develop and improve the group, and that's something that I'm sure we'll do over the coming windows.

"There's no number on it but we'll see what we can do before Thursday. If we don't get everything done that we would want -- which we won't do, that's the reality -- I have always said that it's going to take a few windows for us to get the squad competitive.

"If we can add another player, if not more, then great. If not, we'll look in the summer to keep the building process going."

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