Rodgers reeling after new recruits fail to materialise

Liverpool's Manager Brendan Rodgers reacts as his team takes on Hearts during their Europa League soccer match at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England August 30, 2012. REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Show more

Brendan Rodgers wants to move quickly on from his transfer deadline day disappointment as Arsenal visit Anfield.

The Liverpool manager had hoped to make late additions on the final day of the transfer window but the deadline passed without any new arrivals.

A goalscorer had been top priority, particularly after club record £35 million (Dh203.9m) signing Andy Carroll was allowed to join West Ham United on loan, but nothing materialised.

Speaking before the deadline, Rodgers made clear he wanted another forward.

"Absolutely," he said. "That was what I felt coming in from the off. I felt we needed to have greater threats in the team, not just one or two."

A deal to bring the United States midfielder Clint Dempsey in from Fulham had been anticipated but talks broke down and the player signed for Tottenham Hotspur.

The failure to land Dempsey, who scored 23 goals mostly from midfield last season, leaves Luis Suarez and recent signing Fabio Borini as his only senior strikers. Back-up will come from youngsters Raheem Sterling and Adam Morgan.

With Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing also leaving the club, Rodgers thought he had cleared the way financially for extra recruits.

He said: "Sometimes it is not through choice. If it was carte-blanche and I could do what I wish maybe some of these players wouldn't be out of the door.

"But the reality is the finances always dictate how you can build and how you work with your squad."

One new signing who will be available to Rodgers is Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin, who arrived on a season-long loan from Real Madrid.

The 23 year old was linked with Arsenal but was enticed by the prospect of playing for Rodgers.

Sahin said: "I have spoken to many clubs before. When we decided with [Jose] Mourinho and Madrid that I would go out for a year on loan, I had a lot of offers and I am really thankful to all the clubs that were interested in me.

"But in the end I chose Liverpool because I think Brendan Rodgers and the project of Liverpool is the best for me at the moment."

Arsenal have drawn both their games this season 0-0 with new forwards Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski firing blanks.

However, manager Arsene Wenger has called for patience.

"At the moment I do not want to put too much pressure on them," Wenger said. "I remember Thierry Henry arrived here and did not play before November, Robert Pires arrived here and for a few months was not an automatic starter.

"So you have to give players who have come in a bit of time to adapt to the league and continue to try to play well as a team."

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