Brendan Rodgers has highlighted Jamie Carragher's importance in developing the club's young potential,

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has highlighted Jamie Carragher's importance in developing the club's young potential, as he prepares the Anfield stalwart for a coaching role while underlining his continued contribution on the pitch.

Jamie Carragher: Into his 17th season with Liverpool

Carragher, no longer a first-team regular but still an integral part of Rodgers' plans in the defender's 17th season with Liverpool, has a key function in the nurturing of the new batch of talent coming through according to Rodgers.

The former England international's ability to lead on the pitch combined with his manner off it is an invaluable asset to Rodgers, who is handing Carragher the captain's armband for the Capital One Cup tie against West Brom on Wednesday evening as he utilises the 34-year-old's leadership qualities on the pitch.

Brendan Rodgers has paid tribute to the courage of the Hillsborough victims' families

Brendan Rodgers has paid tribute to the courage of the Hillsborough victims' families and hailed the city of Liverpool as "unique".

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool manager Rodgers attended Wednesday night's vigil in memory of the 96 people who died when they went to watch their team play Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's ground in the 1989 FA Cup semi-final.

The vigil followed the publication of an independent report that cleared Liverpool fans of any blame for Britain's worst sporting disaster and revealed a vast and orchestrated cover-up by police and emergency services.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is adamant Britain can produce players

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is adamant Britain can produce players as technically proficient as their continental counterparts.

Brendan Rodgers hopes to train players like Joe Allen

Rodgers has endured a difficult start to his reign at Anfield, with his style of play taking time to take hold at the Merseyside club.

The Northern Irishman places a premium on technical ability in his midfielders - describing Joe Allen and Arsenal's Santi Cazorla as "the two best players on the field, the two little guys, the technicians" after last week's defeat to the Gunners - but such comfort in possession is generally a characteristic more commonly ascribed to foreign players.

Brendan Rodgers believes he is close to agreeing a loan deal for Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes he is close to agreeing a loan deal for Daniel Sturridge - but Chelsea need to find a replacement before he is allowed to leave.

GettyImagesDaniel Sturridge could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge

Sources at Liverpool have told ESPN that Sturridge is ready to make the move to Anfield, even though there have been reports of Arsenal and Tottenham making a late bid for the services of the striker. who will celebrate his 23rd birthday on Saturday.

Bayern Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle has emerged as a key man in this transfer saga, with Chelsea believed to be close to tying up a £20 million deal for the young Germany international.

Brendan Rodgers has been dealt an blow with the news that midfielder Lucas Leiva will be out of action for up to three months with a thigh injury.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been dealt an blow with the news that midfielder Lucas Leiva will be out of action for up to three months with a thigh injury.

Lucas, 25, was taken off just five minutes into Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday, and scans have confirmed a torn thigh muscle.

Rodgers confirmed on Wednesday that the player is now expected to be sidelined for "two to three months", as he again begins a lengthy road to recovery.

The news comes just weeks after Lucas made his return to action from a cruciate knee ligament injury, one which had sidelined him since December 2011.

Taking to Twitter to express his frustration Lucas wrote: "No words to describe my feelings at the moment. It is (sic) been hard to be positive but I am sure better days will come. YNWA."

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has admitted defeat in his attempts

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has admitted defeat in his attempts to bring Andy Carroll back to the club from Liverpool.

Alan Pardew has ruled out a Carroll reunion

Carroll, 23, moved to Merseyside from Newcastle in a record £35 million deal in January 2011, but has since scored only 11 goals in 58 games.

He was heavily linked with an exit following the arrival of new Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers in the summer, with West Ham and Newcastle interested in moves that would have involved a loan spell prior to a permanent deal.

Brendan Rodgers has said that young prospect Raheem Sterling will continue his development in

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said that young prospect Raheem Sterling will continue his development in and around the Anfield club's first team set-up, and not by way of going out on loan.

Raheem Sterling has impressed Brendan Rodgers

The 17-year-old winger made his first Premier League start for the club in Sunday's 2-2 draw with champions Manchester City, following up an impressive display he had put in the previous Thursday in Liverpool's Europa League win over Hearts.

Now Rodgers is keen to continue handing Sterling further opportunities at Anfield, and has made it clear that any clubs hoping to take the player on loan will be left disappointed.

Brendan Rodgers is set to make another move to bring Daniel Sturridge to Anfield

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is set to make another move to bring Daniel Sturridge to Anfield - with a deal for Chelsea forward believed to be within touching distance at last.

Sources close to the Reds have told ESPN that Rodgers has been pursuing Sturridge all summer, with the glut of attacking midfield signings at Chelsea this summer pushing the Team GB Olympic star down the pecking order of Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo.

Inter Milan have also been linked with a move for Sturridge, but the promise of regular first-team football in a Liverpool side playing to his strengths would appeal to the 22-year-old.

Andy Carroll has been warned that he faces a difficult task to regain a regular first-team spot if he stays at Liverpool.

Andy Carroll has been warned that he faces a difficult task to regain a regular first-team spot if he stays at Liverpool.

PA PhotosAndy Carroll arrived at Liverpool in January 2011

Anfield manager Brendan Rodgers has srongly hinted that the England striker, who joined the Reds from Newcastle in a £35 million deal in January 2011, will struggle to fit into his gameplan this season.

Newcastle and West Ham have made attempts to sign Carroll during the summer, but he has so far decided to stay put.

He made an impact with his aerial power for England at Euro 2012, scoring with a header in a 3-2 victory over Sweden, and has established himself in Roy Hodgson's squad, playing 45 minutes of Wednesday's 2-1 friendly win over Italy in Berne.

Brendan Rodgers may tap into the loan market if his bid to secure new signings..

Brendan Rodgers may tap into the loan market if his bid to secure new signings for Liverpool looks like failing to bear fruit.

PA PhotosBrendan Rodgers is unveiled as Liverpool manager

Rodgers has been at the helm of the Anfield club fsince June, but he has so far only brought in striker Fabio Borini from Roma.

Swansea's Joe Allen and Fulham forward Clint Dempsey are confirmed targets of the Reds boss, but deals do not look imminent and Rodgers is prepared to plug the gap with temporary measures.

"There is nothing imminent, and it may take one or two moves [elsewhere] to spark everything off," he said.

"I have also looked at one or two loan deals from abroad. There are some quality players in that market that I have enquired about."

Rodgers wants Reds to be pass masters

Brendan Rodgers oversaw his first game in charge of Liverpool on Saturday, and then revealed his plans to pass teams into submission this season.

PA PhotosBrendan Rodgers oversaw a 1-1 draw with Toronto in his first game as Liverpool manager

• Rodgers' reign starts with draw
• VIDEO: Toronto 1-1 Liverpool 

Rodgers picked up a 1-1 draw in Liverpool's friendly against Toronto, with 18-year-old striker Adam Morgan notching the equaliser after Raheem Sterling had tormented the opposition defence.

The match was notable for the return of Lucas Leiva, as well as appearances by Joe Cole and Alberto Aquilani, while the style that Liverpool employed sparked a talking point. Rodgers order his team to play two-touch football, keeping possession at all costs, and he insists that style will earmark his reign as Liverpool boss.

"We've still got a long way to go, [but] it's very important that we dictate games, we control games, we dominate games," Rodgers said on the club's official website. "You saw for large parts of the game we forced Toronto back.