Brendan Rodgers describes Memphis Depay as ‘a very talented player’

Brendan Rodgers remained tight-lipped over Liverpool's interest in Memphis Depay but admitted the Reds were set for a summer overhaul.

Saturday’s 0-0 draw at West Brom put a serious dent in their Champions League challenge and left them seven points adrift of the top four.

Rodgers has been linked with PSV Eindhoven’s Depay as he searches for a greater goal threat.

Liverpool had scored 90 goals after 33 games last term — and were top — but have netted just 47 times this season following the sale of Luis Suarez and Daniel Strurridge's injury-hit campaign.

And — following their Hawthorns stalemate — boss Rodgers refused to be drawn on Depay, who is also reportedly interesting Manchester United, but knows they need a goalscorer.

“You know me in terms of speculation on players. The kid is a very talented player of course but I wouldn’t like to confirm either way,” he said.

“It’s clear we need a goal threat for next year so there’s going to be a whole raft of players who will be looked at and then it’ll be up to the club, whether they’re affordable and if they are available.

“We have to see the availability first.”

But should Liverpool fail to make the top four, Rodgers conceded they could miss out on targets, while also letting some players leave.

He said: “If we’re not in the Champions League which is probably highly likely, players will still maybe want to come but they want to play in the Champions League.

Hit and miss

“This (is) maybe a season we miss out but if we can regroup again, get some quality starters in for the summer we can go on another great adventure and hopefully get back in there.

“The natural process for some players is they will want to move on anyway and we have had some for a couple of years who maybe haven’t played as much.”

The draw left West Brom seven points above the relegation zone but they have to face Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in three of their last four games.

Boss Tony Pulis said: "With Leicester winning, Hull winning, it's going to be a lot more points (required to stay up) than people think.

“If we can get 40 points, we’ll stay up. That’s got to be the attitude. We’ve got four games to get through.”

The Baggies are up for sale with chairman Jeremy Peace open to offers but Pulis does not expect an imminent deal.

He said: “I’m not sure. The chairman will keep that very close to his chest. He’s told me if there’s anything positive, he’ll keep me informed. There’s been nothing that positive he’s been able to tell me.

“He understands the situation. He’s a very astute man and he’s said that if it’s not sold by a certain time, that’ll be it, he’ll keep it and move forward.”

Merit awards

Meanwhile former England midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were back in tandem as they shared the PFA Merit award on Sunday.

The veteran pair will leave the Premier League for Major League Soccer in the summer, having left an indelible mark on English football.

Both Gerrard and Lampard were mainstays of England’s much-heralded ‘golden generation’ and collected 220 caps between them.

Questions were often asked of their suitability as partners in central midfield, with both being attack-minded players, but each man’s individual ability was never in doubt.

Liverpool skipper Gerrard was pleased to join his former international colleague in accepting the award.

“Of course, we played together for England for a long time and I’m a huge admirer of Frank and his game and the success he has had at Chelsea,” Gerrard said.

“He is an unbelievable player, a world-class player and I couldn’t ask for anyone better to share it with.

“I’m really pleased. Every time you get an individual award and an award for the job you do, you’re really happy. I’m a young boy from a council estate who has worked every so hard to get to where I am today.

“I have been lucky, I have had a fantastic career it has been full of highs and lows but some of the highs I have achieved have blown me away and I achieved a lot of my dreams playing for Liverpool and England.”