New Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers has read the reports. They're not true.
A host of players have been linked with a move to the club during this summer transfer window, but Rodgers told a news conference in England that he's looking to make only a couple of touch-ups to the squad before his debut for the storied club against MLS side Toronto FC in the 2012 Herbalife World Football Challenge on July 21.
"For players to be associated with Liverpool is great," the new manager told the press in a briefing on the US tour, "but the reality is we've only made three to four inquiries and hopefully can close one deal this week, maybe two."
Many American soccer fans are hoping one of those signings is the rumored acquisition of current Fulham FC star Clint Dempsey.
The US national team star would be making a return home of sorts should he join Liverpool ahead of their US tour. The Reds announced they will be based at Harvard University during their US stay, close to the stadium where Dempsey made a name for himself with the New England Revolution in MLS.
The Harvard headquarters will also carry deep meaning for Rodgers, who shared this story about an old friend during the press conference.
"I remember him many years ago telling me that when he went to Harvard, on the first day it was about being ruthlessly simple," Rodgers said. "They've got great academics and a lot of intelligent people that go to that university.
"They were told to keep it simple and it's always something that's stayed with me throughout my work. It's about being ruthlessly simple on and off the field."
