Rodgers wants to keep Glen Johnson and Lucas at Liverpool next season

Liverpool F.C. manager Brendan Rodgers is hoping to keep Glen Johnson and Lucas Leiva at Anfield next season.

Johnson, whose current deal with the Reds is set to expire at the end of the season, has yet to enter formal talks with the club over a new deal.

However, Rodgers has insisted Liverpool cannot afford to lose any more experienced players in the summer, with Steven Gerrard having already agreed to leave Merseyside to join the Los Angeles Galaxy.

“The intention will be to keep everyone – we can’t have three or four leaving next season,” Rodgers said.

“Steven will obviously be a loss. When you are losing someone of that calibre of man and player it would be a loss to any club.

“For the younger players to develop their potential they are going to need that seniority around them. You can’t just have a whole group of young players.

“Glen is not the marauding full-back of six or seven years ago but he is still a quality player and he has a lot to offer with his experience. His game will adapt over the next couple of years and we want to keep him.

“Like every player he will want that security and to get it sorted earlier than it is now, but when he looks at it and realises he is at one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a team which is developing and growing, he would want to be a part of that.

“I know the club and his agents spoke towards the beginning of the season and I am hopeful we can find a solution and he will stay.”

Lucas, 28, has also been linked with a move away from Anfield in recent times, but Rodgers has insisted the Brazilian is still very-much wanted by the club.

“We want to keep Lucas. He was out of the team last year because of the nature of the set-up with Steven, in that co-ordinating role,” added Rodgers.

“But he is a prime example of someone who has played his way back into the first team by showing their level and commitment.”

Despite Rodgers’ comments, Lucas, who has made 21 appearances in all competitions for the Reds this season, is reportedly looking to leave England during the January transfer window.

Recent reports have suggested Italian Serie A side Internazionale are keen on the 28-year-old, but a move to Italy it not imminent.