DANIEL AGGER has revealed his delight after signing a new long-term contract at Liverpool – as manager Brendan Rodgers reveals his concerns about the side’s defensive vulnerabilities.
By Phil Kirkbride
Danish centre-half Agger has ended months of speculation about his future by putting pen to paper on improved terms at Anfield.
Manchester City made enquiries about the 27-year-old in the summer but the Premier League champions’ valuation of Agger did not match Liverpool’s.
Agger always insisted he was happy with life at the club and was not looking to leave the club.
And yesterday, the former Brondby man confirmed his commitment to Brendan Rodgers’ side by signing a fresh deal.
Given Liverpool’s defensive concerns of late, Agger’s decision will come as welcome news.
Rodgers has made no secret of his worries over the number of goals his side are conceding and the manner in which the opposition are able to find the back of the net.
“It means everything to me,” Agger said of his new deal.
“This is where I want to be and I’m happy the club want me. I am really happy right now. I’ve never wanted to go anywhere else.
“I feel I am a part of this club – and I want to be a part of this club in the future.
“I like the way it is going right now with the style we’re playing, and hopefully the results will come soon as well.”The support from the fans has been unbelievable. The game when they were singing all the songs about me, it was difficult to focus on the game! It was such a good experience for me and I’d never experienced anything like it before.
“That is why I am so happy here. That for me is Liverpool Football Club.
“I feel I belong here and as long as the manager and the owners want me, I’ll be here.”
Rodgers watched his side ship three second half goals against Udinese on Thursday night in the Europa League but knows their defensive frailties have been an issue all season long.
“There is no quick fix, other than working hard on the field,” he said.
“Even against Norwich at the weekend, we scored five goals but we conceded two poor goals.
“It is unfortunate, really, but it is something we’ve just got to work hard on, and concentrate on in the game. There is nothing else to it than that.
“(Clean sheets) are so important. We are conceding poor goals, giving them away. Away at Norwich last week we kept them to three shots, which in the Premier League is a fantastic achievement. But when they are scoring two of their three shots, it is disappointing to say the least.
“It is simple things, not tracking wide, not tracking into the box, giving away fouls and then not defending the free kick well, giving the ball away and not tracking runners. We’ve still got a bit of work to do.”
