Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he expected to recruit a replacement for Andy Carroll after allowing the striker to leave Liverpool on a season-long loan to West Ham shortly before the transfer window closed.

The Reds now have just two established forwards in Luis Suarez and newly signed Fabio Borini, although Carroll is able to be recalled in January, and have picked up just one point from their opening three games.

Asked by reporters if Carroll would have left had it been known he would not be able to obtain a replacement, Rodgers replied simply: “No!”

Clint Dempsey had been the subject of heavy speculation over the summer regarding a move to Anfield, but the club failed to agree a deal with Fulham and he instead joined Tottenham.

“I was very confident I had a deal sewn up but it has gone and I can’t do anything about it,” Rodgers added. “There’s no point me crying about it or wishing we had or hadn’t done this or that.”

“I have to be honest, I wouldn’t change whatever has happened for the world. I feel very proud and privileged to lead this club.

“I always knew it would be very difficult at the start. But my fight to keep the supporters proud and preserve the great name of Liverpool going forward, well, I have made it my life to do that.

“What has happened has happened and we will see where we can go over it in the next couple of months.”

Rodgers was coy when asked about the possibility of signing former player and free agent Michael Owen, adding that he would look at any opportunity to strengthen the squad.

“Hopefully, in January and the next window, we will make the transitions to get a group that can compete,” he continued.

“That was always my intention at the beginning of the season. I wanted to build a squad that could be competitive.”