BRENDAN RODGERS has vowed: I won’t bankrupt Liverpool for a fast-track to glory.

And in a double warning to fans after a quick-fix, he told any new would-be Kop idols the days of using the club to line their pockets are long gone.

The Anfield gaffer has splashed £25million to bring Fabio Borini and Joe Allen to Merseyside, with Cristian Tello and Nuri Sahin set to follow from Barcelona and Real Madrid.

But any signings will not pick up mega-bucks, long-term contracts.

Previous owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett left Liverpool within days of going bust.

And the new boss reckons the fiasco at Rangers, which has seen them demoted to Division Three in Scotland, sends a message to everyone.

Rodgers said: “This is Liverpool Football Club and it’s incredible to think it came close to bankruptcy. You may think it’ll never happen to your club but who’d have thought it could to a team like Rangers?

“But if football continues to pay the wages some clubs do, you will be asking for it.

“If you believe it can’t happen, well it can, maybe not now but certainly later. Look at Rangers’ history. That is a warning for everyone.”

Liverpool have paid huge wages to the likes of Alberto Aquilani, Milan Jovanovic and Maxi Rodriguez.

Although the trio have been moved on — with Aquilani’s move to Fiorentina saving the club £6.5m a year — the problem itself remains.

Yet Rodgers, whose league season starts at West Brom, will not be adding to it.

He said: “In professional and social life, I like to get value, that’s just my nature and my upbringing.

“I won’t pay anything at all costs. If there is a player who can make a difference, we’ll do all we can to get him. What I’m not prepared to do is waste time, money and effort for anyone who won’t add value. I prefer the hungry player, one who wants to succeed.

“They will earn good money — and they will get their value and worth if they perform.”

Rodgers is prepared to scour the lower leagues for an uncut diamond.

He added: “There’s sometimes a snobbery towards players at a lesser club, an ignorance.

“If you look at our squad, there aren’t too many who have dropped from heaven.

“A lot have come through lower clubs, made their way and are now making their name at Liverpool.

“The club’s history is about hungry players, coming from the lower leagues and working their way up.

“Talent aligned with hard work takes you a long way. I find it difficult to work with players who don’t share and match that.”

p.thomas@the-sun.co.uk

BRENDAN RODGERS wants to make Barcelona wide boy Cristian Tello the third new
face of his Anfield reign.

Liverpool boss Rodgers has splashed out £25million to take striker Fabio
Borini and midfielder Joe Allen to Merseyside.

Now aims to make it a hat-trick with Tello.

The winger, 21, has failed to hold down a regular slot at the Nou Camp after
coming through the ranks.

And with David Villa fit again after a broken leg, his options will be even
more limited.

A season-long loan with the promise of a transfer at the end of it is the
likeliest deal to bring Tello to Merseyside, with 12 months remaining on his
contract.

But the fact there has also been interest from Arsenal, Malaga, Benfica and
Ajax could force Rodgers into a permanent deal, which would cost around £5m.

Tello, who only made the breakthrough into the first team as a regular sub
last season, has a reputation for pace and being direct.

The fact he can also play on either flank in a front three ? the
attacking style Rodgers is implementing at Anfield ? also makes him
highly attractive to the manager.

Liverpool could make it a double raid on Spain, as they are also closing in on
Real Madrid’s versatile Nuri Sahin.

The Turkish midfielder has never come close to living up to the reputation he
took to the Bernabeu when he moved from Borussia Dortmund 12 months ago.

And although featuring regularly on Real’s pre-season trip to the USA, manager
Jose Mourinho is prepared to let him go.

Arsenal and Spurs have both shown an interest, but the fact Rodgers has a good
relationship with Mourinho from their time together at Chelsea could swing
another season-long loan Liverpool’s way.

MARTIN SKRTEL is set to boost Liverpool by signing a new four-year contract
this week.

The Slovakian stopper, the Reds’ player of the season last term, attracted
Manchester City and Fiorentina over the summer.

But now Skrtel will shatter the hopes of all those hoping to tempt him from
Mersyside by agreeing a deal to stay put.

City have since switched their sights to Skrtel’s centre-back partner Daniel
Agger.

However, Liverpool’s demands for a £20million-plus deal are a major stumbling
block.

Kop boss Brendan Rodgers wants to keep the Danish defender at Anfield.

But Agger insists there have so far been no talks over a new deal.

His current contract is entering its final two years and last night he threw
the ball firmly into Liverpool’s court.

He said: “I’d rather stay. I can’t imagine playing for anyone else in England.

“But you never know if the club think it’s better to sell me.

“We have this period transfer window every year but I’m taking things easy and
with a smile.

“I’ve not heard anything from the club so far, so there’s no reason to be
worried.

“I know there has been interest from City, but I am fine with my situation.

“The club will have to decide what they want to do. I’ve heard nothing from
them.

“I’d rather stay but that decision is not up to me at the moment.

“Liverpool can do a deal even though I have two years on my contract. But I
haven’t changed my mind on the subject.

“Sometimes you can end up in a position where it’s not your decision.

“I don’t want to be somewhere I am not wanted but I would prefer if they want
me to stay. That is my first priority.”