Brendan Rodgers has claimed the deadline day signings of Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori can protect Liverpool in central defence for the next decade, as he prepares to take a “more pragmatic” team back to Swansea City tonight.

The Liverpool manager returns to his former club with a wealth of options in defence having spent €19 million on Sakho and €8.5m on Ilori on the final day of the transfer window. Kolo Toure is also in contention having recovered quicker than expected from a groin injury.

Long-term needs
While the 20-year-old Ilori falls into the "one for the future" bracket, the France international Sakho is pressing for inclusion following his move from Paris Saint-Germain. The 23-year-old is one of the most expensive defensive signings in Liverpool's history, despite having only 12 months remaining on his PSG contract, but Rodgers believes the Anfield club had to address their long-term needs and improve competition in central defence.

"I wanted to try and protect the present and the future of the club," said Rodgers, who will be without the injured Glen Johnson at Swansea. "Good centre-halves are hard to find."
Guardian Service