Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists any January signing has to be able to make an immediate contribution and he is not interested in 'squad players'.

Illness and injury meant the Reds boss had a training group numbering just 15 this week but that will not force his hand in the transfer market.

Rodgers holds out a forlorn hope primary target Mohamed Salah's move to Chelsea may still collapse but that seems unlikely with the Stamford Bridge club announcing on Thursday a deal had been agreed subject to personal terms and a medical.

"I know the club has been working very hard to get players in. I'll leave that to them and see how they get on," he told talkSPORT.

"January is a very difficult market. It is hard to bring in players that can improve the team, especially in this window.

"This is a brilliant club and we try to get players in for the now, we need players who can come in now and help us.

"I'd rather wait and look at our young players than bring in one or two squad players."

On Salah Rodgers added: "I'm not sure whether that deal (to Chelsea) is definitely done yet or not.

"The young guy is a good player. We have tracked him for a number of months, the club has been watching him and I have been to watch him.

"It is one where the agent of the player and the clubs were talking but if the deal can't be done, the deal can't be done.

"He's a boy that is a talent. He is 21 years of age and people saw his qualities in the games against Chelsea and Tottenham in Europe, but you need to have that list (of targets) because if it doesn't work out then you are hoping there are one or two others."

Source: Sporting Life