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Brendan Rodgers has dismissed the prospect of a Pepe Reina return to Liverpool by asking: "He's already said goodbye, hasn't he?"

Reina, Anfield's long-time first-choice keeper, is currently on loan at Napoli but an indifferent time with the Italians seems to have shut the door on a permanent deal for him there.

That has led to renewed speculation that the 31-year-old - who still has two years left to run on his contract with the Reds - will return to Merseyside and sit on the bench, watch Simon Mignolet play his position and pick up his sizeable wages.

But Liverpool boss Rodgers has now seemed to completely rule out that possibility, pointing out that Reina wrote a long and emotional letter of farewell to the Kop club's fans when he left for Naples last summer.

"He's already written his letter, hasn't he? He wrote a goodbye letter, didn't he?" Rodgers said with a wry smile.

"I was surprised at the letter - when you are a loan player I would expect that he should come back, but obviously Pepe made it very clear when he went to Napoli that he was looking to move.

"He penned a great, big letter saying he was going to work with the best manager that he'd worked with and thanked for his time for Liverpool. So, for me, it probably sounded like he'd made his decision there."

While Rodgers slammed the door on one Liverpool veteran extending his stay, he opened it for another, when he insisted centre-back Daniel Agger is still very much part of his plans.

The Dane had a disaster against Swansea at the weekend, and was substituted early in the second half of the 4-3 win, but has been assured he will go straight back into the team for the visit to Southampton on Saturday.

(Image: Clive Mason)

And Rodgers explained that he still regards Agger as a top-class defender who can have a big future at the club.

"I think there has been a lot of unfair spotlight on Daniel this week. What happened to Daniel is no different to what happened to any player," the manager said. "Just because it is a defender it is highlighted a wee bit more.

"But we made the change and won the game. It's no different to me than a winger coming off or a striker or midfield player.

"I will judge every player, whether he is the team captain, the centre-forward or a squad player, I will make the decision if I think it will help us get a result.

"We made the change. Dan has taken it like the man he is. He has been outstanding in training this week and he will play on Saturday, there is no question about that."