Reds debt won't stop Rodgers spending

The Reds' annual accounts, published on Monday, showed a loss of �40 million ($59.7 million, 45.9 million euros) with overall debt rising by �21.8 million to �87.2 million.

But Rodgers denied that would impact on his spending and he claimed Liverpool's American owners, Fenway Sports Group, had already given him their word that he will be allowed to overhaul the squad at the end of the season.

"If you look where the club was at four years ago and where it is now it is a different place," Rodgers said on Friday.

"Of course there is still debt there but I think next year's results will show further improvement on that.

"In terms of me building the squad I've already got the assurances it won't affect anything.

"I think you have to give massive credit to the board and FSG because they took on an astronomical amount of debt - almost �400 million - so where it is at now in their short period of time here is a huge credit to them while still supporting the investment of the team.

"They have made every promise and every commitment to me that every single penny they have will go into generating the squad and making it better."