Dave Hendrick Backs Morgan Rogers Move Amid Liverpool Squad Concerns | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Summer Focus: Morgan Rogers Emerges as Priority Target

Right Back Conundrum Requires Urgent Action

Liverpool may be Premier League champions, but cracks remain in the squad—none more so than the right-back position. On The Daily Red Podcast, Dave Hendrick raised strong concerns about Connor Bradley’s durability: “I’m not saying Connor Bradley is injury-prone, but the fella has missed more games than he’s played for us.” While Bradley’s potential isn’t dismissed, Hendrick warned that recurring back, ankle and hamstring problems are “very concerning” for a player expected to be explosive in 1v1 situations.

The need for a new right-back is, in Hendrick’s words, “absolutely negligent work from Richard Hughes and co” if ignored. Suggestions that Jarell Quansah or Joe Gomez could fill in are dismissed: “Quansah can’t play there, he can stand out there, he can’t play there.” With uncertainty over Gomez’s future, Liverpool simply “need to buy a right-back this summer.”

Morgan Rogers: Perfect Fit for Slot’s System

Shifting to Liverpool’s attacking future, Hendrick gave a glowing endorsement of Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, whose name has recently emerged via transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano. Despite complications around a potential deal—given Villa’s financial juggling under PSR constraints—Hendrick sees a deal as a no-brainer: “Morgan Rogers would be an incredible signing for us.”

Hendrick linked the 21-year-old directly to Arne Slot’s tactical style, referencing Slot’s use of a “wing-10 hybrid type” role at Feyenoord: “Rogers is tailor-made for that role… He can also fill in at the 10.” That versatility adds further appeal, allowing Liverpool to rotate between Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Rogers himself, depending on the fixture demands.

Squad Reshuffle: Outgoings to Fund the Future

Hendrick didn’t shy away from bold suggestions on reshaping the squad. He proposed a scenario in which Luis Díaz and Harvey Elliott are sold to raise funds for Rogers and the promotion of youngsters like Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha: “Does anyone really think we’d be worse off by swapping out Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott for Morgan Rogers, Rio and Trey? I just don’t see that we could possibly be any worse off.”

Photo: IMAGO

In Hendrick’s view, the additions would strengthen the squad now and lay a foundation for years to come. “You’re much better off for now and for the future… that could be a core group in place for the next three to four years.”

No Room for Sentiment in Future Planning

Hendrick made clear that reputation or past performance won’t factor into his vision of Liverpool’s next chapter. Harvey Elliott’s Premier League minutes this season were noted as minimal: “He doesn’t play. He just doesn’t play… less than 200 minutes in the Premier League.” As such, the idea of needing to replace him if sold is dismissed out of hand.

Similarly, he was blunt in evaluating Stefan Bajčetić’s loan spell in Spain, dismissing talk of “rave reviews” as Liverpool fan myth-making. “He hasn’t been particularly good with Las Palmas… his passing numbers are atrocious… there’s clearly talent there, but the idea of him as a Liverpool player right now is just wild.”

Final Thought: Rogers and Wharton as Cornerstones

The standout quote summarising Hendrick’s stance on the club’s summer ambition is emphatic: “If Morgan Rogers is gettable, we should do everything we can to get him. Him and Adam Wharton are two we should absolutely be going all in for.” For Hendrick, these are not just smart signings—they are the seeds of Liverpool’s next great team.