The Reds manager has already acquired four new players this summer after the sale of Luis Suarez and thinks that fans should be very excited by the €57 million pair

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says that fans should be very excited about signing the likes of Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic.

The Reds have already recruited four players this summer – with Dejan Lovren and Loic Remy expected to join their ranks soon – as they compensate for the loss of Luis Suarez and the return of Champions League football to Anfield.

Serbia international winger Markovic joined Liverpool in a big-money deal from Portuguese champions Benfica and Rodgers is expecting big things from the 20-year-old.

“Young Markovic is a really exciting talent,” he told reporters ahead of Liverpool’s opening International Champions Cup match against Roma on Wednesday. “He’s the kind of player I like, who can beat people in one versus one [situations].

“He’s good in the duel but he also works hard so he doesn’t just run forward quickly, he runs back even quicker, which is important.

“That’s the key for us. We’ve got hungry players – players who want to do their best for Liverpool, are technically and tactically gifted but have the personality to work. I’m excited by them all.”

Liverpool also splashed the cash on Southampton captain Lallana, forking out a fee around £25 million for the England international midfielder and Rodgers believes that he has not only the ability but the character to succeed at Anfield.

“Adam Lallana, as you’d expect, is a wonderful talent and we’ve seen that over the last couple of years in the Premier League,” he explained.

“I’ve watched him since he was a young player and I’ve seen his progression. In this very short period of time of working with him, I’ve realised what a good man he is. We do our homework on the players, on their character, before they come in. He’s a great human being, he’s here because he’s hungry and wants to fight for Liverpool.

“He’s left a great club in Southampton where he had the honour of captaining them but now he’s come to one of the biggest clubs in the world. From what I’ve seen from him so far in training, he’s been absolutely fantastic; hungry, technically good and tactically very, very good.”

The 34-year-old, who has called time on his international career, insists the current manager was the correct appointment as they look to recover from a disastrous World Cup

Steven Gerrard is confident Roy Hodgson is the right man to take England forward following the former captain’s retirement from international duty.

The 34-year-old called time on his Three Lions career on Monday but leaves England following a disastrous World Cup which leaves them 20th in the Fifa Ranking – their worst position since 1996.

Hodgson will remain in charge despite a group-stage exit in Brazil and, while Gerrard admits the opinion on England is “very negative”, he is confident the former Fulham boss was the correct appointment.

“I’m sure Roy will get the job right. I know things will turn around for the better,” he told reporters. “I know the players are upset and everyone has an opinion on England at the moment – it’s very negative.

“But I’m sure Roy will help making the England supporters proud again and change the way people are looking at this England team.

“He’s a fantastic manager and I’m glad the FA have stuck with him. He’s the man who fulfilled my childhood dream, made me England captain, and I’ll always thank him for that.”

Gerrard does not expect his ties with England to end after 114 caps for his county and left the door open for future involvement behind the scenes as he begins considering his options for when he hangs up his boots entirely.

“I’ve started the C Licence on the coaching side of it,” he said.

“I don’t know if I want to be a coach, I don’t know if I want to be a manager 100 per cent, but what I’m going to do when I hang my boots up completely is something I’m thinking about a lot.

“My relationship with the FA will continue moving forward and I’m sure over the next 20, 30, 40 years, I will work for England again.”

The club legend feels the 34-year-old has a role to play at Anfield with his years of experience and ability to motivate, even if his on-pitch performances are not the best

Liverpool great Ian Rush believes club captain Steven Gerrard has another two years left in him after retiring from international duty.

After 114 caps and 21 goals for England, the 34-year-old announced his international retirement on Monday following a poor World Cup showing in Brazil.

However, Gerrard was one of Liverpool’s most consistent players as they finished second in the Premier League last season and Rush is confident the midfielder could play for a couple more seasons yet.

“It’s how well the manager coaches him really. I think there’s still another two years left in Steven Gerrard,” Rush is as quoted as saying by FourFourTwo.

“It’s not just about physically, I think being in the dressing room before that, motivating people, getting people going and that’s what he’s all about. He’s a leader and we need those leaders.

“Even if they’re not producing the best on the pitch we need them in there. Without a doubt if the manager treats him well he’s got another two years left in him.”

Rush said Gerrard’s international retirement was great news for the club, with it possibly extending his Liverpool career, but former striker Robbie Fowler believes Gerrard could have played on for England.

“What we should remember is how good Steven Gerrard was for England, that’s his decision and we’ve got to respect that, but for me, I think he could have played on,” Fowler said.

“He was voted one of the best players in the Premier League last year, voted by all his peers, and that tells me that he’s still highly thought of and still very much good enough to play for England, so it is a sad day, but let’s respect Steve’s decision.”