Napoli target Daniel Agger rules out Liverpool exit

Daniel Agger

Daniel Agger has refuted claims that he could be leaving Liverpool in the near future, with Napoli waiting in the wings should the Reds decide to sell.

The Dane has struggled to hold down a first-team place at Anfield this season, having started just nine of Liverpool’s 20 fixtures so far.

Agger is known to be frustrated that he hasn’t had the playing time he has wanted, but does not want to quit the club just yet, as he is enjoying being part of a squad that appears to be going places.

Agger told reporters in his native Denmark: “I am not thinking about moving at the moment, not at all.

“I’ve only seen what the papers say and I can’t really do anything about that. There is no reason to believe these rumours.

“There is a much different atmosphere in the dressing room. It’s like we truly believe we are going to win and that is not something we have done in the past couple of years.”

Napoli had been keen on reuniting Agger with manager Rafael Benitez, while Barcelona were also believed to be monitoring the situation, but Agger’s comments suggest he will remain part of Brendan Rodgers’ plans until the summer at least.

Agger has enjoyed the best aerial success rate of his defensive colleagues, winning 71% of his headed duels, while he has also been successful in 54% of his tackles.

He has made an impressive 68 clearances in the 11 appearances he has made for the Reds this season, while a pass completion rate of 86% allows him to work well within Rodgers’ philosophy of playing out from the back.