Dalglish coy over transfer plans

Dalglish coy over transfer plans

Published May. 12, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is only looking to strengthen over the summer and has no plans to sell any of the current squad.

The only confirmed departure from Anfield will be defender Fabio Aurelio, whose contract expires next month, while the futures of the likes of Joe Cole and Alberto Aquilani, on loan at Lille and AC Milan respectively, have yet to be decided.

But Dalglish dismissed assumptions that Dirk Kuyt, who is interesting Hamburg, and Maxi Rodriguez, who Tweeted his apparent goodbyes after Tuesday's 4-1 home win over Chelsea, would be following Aurelio through the exit door.

"We are not looking to move anyone out. The only one who will be moving out will be Fabio as his contract is up," said Dalglish.

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"All we want to do is to add to the start we have had (with the squad he has assembled) and see what happens to us.

"The transfer market brings up surprises but what they will be I can't help you, I'm not clairvoyant.

"But we are not actively looking to move anyone out."

Hamburg have been making admiring remarks about Kuyt, who reportedly had a £1million release clause written into his last contract, for the last month while Rodriguez wrote on Twitter: "Last home game and had a goodbye to the fans. Thank you very much to the people of Liverpool for much love".

But Dalglish, who unlike this season has the Europa League to contend with come August, is focused on strengthening his squad rather than anything else.

"Most of our plans are in place. We need to get the work done and get on with it," added the Scot, who no longer has the back-up he had on transfers after director of football Damien Comolli left the club last month.

"Conversations happen throughout the whole season, they just tend to pick up in the last week of the season and there have been lots of conversations in the last few days.

"There have been a lot of discussions between various parties which have to be made and we will carry on do our work during the summer.

"We have been talking to the owners throughout the calendar year and have discussed many facets of the job and what it entails.

"You also discuss what availability and what possibilities there are and we've been through every option with everyone.

"It is an ongoing process and not much has changed. Maybe because the transfer window opens there will be some business done - but that is the same for everyone.

"At the end of the season every club and supporter looks anxiously to see what is happening in terms of business being done.

"But the business-side of it won't be discussed publicly."

First Liverpool have to get this season over and done with and Dalglish stressed their focus at the moment was on tomorrow's final match at Swansea.

If they better Everton's result at home to Newcastle tomorrow they will finish above their seventh-placed near-neighbors, but the Reds boss said there was no extra motivation required for his players.

"It is important we try to win the game, as we have done for every other game we have played," he said.

"It maybe the last game but it is important we carry on from the performance on Tuesday.

"We go to Swansea and want to try to continue the positivity and try to get a result for ourselves.

"It will be difficult as they have had a fantastic season and they will want to send their fans away happy.

"We have to make sure we are properly prepared for it. We will analyze the season afterwards.

"We are just looking forward to going to the game."
 

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