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Brendan Rodgers insists Liverpool FC have no intention of selling Martin Skrtel this summer.

The 28-year-old has started just one Premier League game since the defeat to Manchester United in January and speculation about his Anfield future has continued to grow.

But with Daniel Agger injured the Slovakian defender is set to earn a recall against Fulham on Sunday. .

The Liverpool manager explained that Skrtel lost his place to Jamie Carragher because he felt the side needed leadership and organisation and Rodgers says he remains part of his plans for next season.

Carragher retires at the end of the campaign and Liverpool have already started to line his replacement with the club interested in Swansea City’s Ashley Williams and Toby Alderweireld of Ajax.

But Rodgers wants Skrtel to be part of his defensive options for the new season and has praised the way he has responded to being dropped.

“It has been difficult for him and I’ve acknowledged and recognised that,” Rodgers told the ECHO.

“The great professional he is means his focus has been outstanding and he’s trained very, very hard everyday and has been there when he’s been required.

“We made the change a few months back and I think Jamie Carragher has arguably been one of the best defenders in the league and Daniel Agger has been fresh and played very well.

“It has been unfortunate for Martin but he has been a loyal member of the squad and is still very much part of my plans here.

“He’s happy here, he’s not in any rush to leave but players want to play. I haven’t had any concerns with Martin at all, his attitude has been first class.

“It is important they know where they stand and he knows where they stand.

“He is very much a part of what we are trying to do here.

“We are trying to build up a group with a winning mentality and he’s got a winning mentality. It’s just unfortunate he lost his place.

“It wasn’t so much through his form, it was just I felt we needed more of an organiser and a leader.”

Rodgers believes Skrtel has the ability to develop those aspects of his game.

“You can become a leader but I also think it is something a lot of people are born with,” he said.

“He is certainly a player we want to keep and we have no ideas of selling him. He is an important member of our group.”

Rodgers, meanwhile, has reiterated that goalkeeper Pepe Reina is not for sale. The Spanish stopper was again linked with a move away from Anfield this week with reports suggestion Barcelona are ready to launch an £8.4m bid.

"It's that silly season now that starts up all the rumours and whatnot but Pepe's not for sale.

"He's got three years left on his contract here, he's happy and obviously there's speculation but it's not worth commenting on."