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Brendan Rodgers has defended the decision to off-load Pepe Reina to Napoli as the Liverpool FC boss insisted: “This team is evolving.”

The popular Spanish keeper's eight-year stint as Anfield No 1 is over with Rodgers ready to put his faith in £9million new signing Simon Mignolet.

Having decided that Mignolet would be his first choice this season, the manager says the Reds couldn't justify paying Reina his £110,000 per week wages in order to sit on the bench.

Reina, who is under contract for another three years, is set to go on a season-long loan to the Serie A outfit where he will be reunited with former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

“It's my decision,” said Rodgers.

“Last year I had to make decisions in pre-season for the financial stability of the club and that's something I've obviously had to do this year as well.

“Financially, it is something we needed to look at. I had a good chat with Pepe the other day and he knows where it's at.

“It reared its head over the last few months and I had to prepare for it by bringing in another goalkeeper anyway.

“Pepe is a good guy and I’ve got a lot of time for him. He's been a real pillar for me in terms of how I want to operate.

“But he's got a big season ahead because it’s a World Cup year and one where, if he wasn’t going to be playing, that could severely harm his chances of going to the World Cup. We both understand that.”

With Jamie Carragher having retired in May and now Reina departing, the Reds have lost two leaders and an abundance of experience in recent months. However, Rodgers is unconcerned.

“It doesn't worry me at all,” he said.

“We brought Kolo Toure in who is loud in the dressing room and we have others who can step up to the mark. We will get players who will come in and be hungry.

“Pepe has a great history with the club. He's been a lynchpin but the team and the club are evolving.

“There won't ever be anyone who is bigger than the football club. I've not overly worried about someone's standing, I'm worried about performance.”

Finances may have dictated not keeping Reina at Anfield as a deputy but it's clear that the decision to replace him with Mignolet is based solely on Rodgers' belief that the Belgian represents a better long-term option for the Reds.

Liverpool arrived in Melbourne yesterday after kicking off their pre-season tour with a 2-0 win over an Indonesia XI in Jakarta on Saturday.

Luis Suarez reported for duty Down Under as planned and Rodgers will hold talks with the striker about his future ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Melbourne Victory. Fellow Uruguayan Sebastian Coates has also linked up with the squad.

“I'm looking forward to seeing Luis,” Rodgers said.

“He's a player I have always supported. I understand his situation but the bottom line is he's employed by the football club.”

Jay Spearing, who was an unused substitute on Saturday, is holding talks with Blackburn Rovers about a potential move to the Championship club.



Liverpool's chief scout Barry Hunter has flown out to Melbourne to provide Rodgers and managing director Ian Ayre with an update on the club's pursuit of transfer targets.