By Dominic King
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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists he will look to sign a defender before the transfer window shuts on September 2 after announcing that Sebastian Coates will be out for the majority of the season.
The 22-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate knee ligament problem during Uruguay's 4-2 victory over Japan in Saitama, leaving Liverpool with just Kolo Toure as their only fit centre back.
'I feel for big Seba. He has picked up an injury similar to the one Martin Kelly had last season,' said Rodgers.
Back line: Rodgers is looking to strengthen his defence before the window shuts on September 2
Injured: Coates looks likely to miss the majority of the season through injury
'It it is probably going to put him out for the year. He was going to go out and play but that has put an end to that.
'We want to strengthen the squad. To maximise Andre Wisdom's talent, I need to get someone in on loan. I just think the position Andre plays, it is preferable to have that experience.
'He played centre-half mostly through pre-season. Unless you are in the team, it is beneficial to be getting games.'
Rodgers also announced that he has yet to receive a bid for defender Martin Skrtel.
No deal: Rodgers confirmed there have been no bids for defender Martin Skrtel as yet
It begins: England striker Daniel Sturridge scored the only goal of the game against Stoke
'There has been no bid for Martin Skrtel,' Rodgers added. 'I've not been told of that. First I have heard of it this morning. Ian Ayre, our managing director, does a terrific job and he would inform me straight away if something like that happened.'
Liverpool face Aston Villa on Saturday after winning their opening game of the season narrowly against Stoke, but knows it will be a tough game after Villa's bright start to the season with a 3-1 win at Arsenal and an unlucky 2-1 loss at Chelsea.
'With regards to ourselves, we have had a real good win against Stoke. We got three points, which was most important.
'Villa had a hard season, Paul Lambert had different challenges to meet during his first year but I fully expected him to do well this season.
Tough trip: Liverpool will look for two wins in two as they face Aston Villa on Saturday tea time
The future is grey: It remains to be seen whether Luis Suarez will stay at Anfield or not
'It's going to be a tough game but our mind is very good at the minute.'
Liverpool have been relatively successful in the transfer market so far, but missed out on midfielder Willian, who will join Tottenham. Nevertheless, Rodgers will still aim high with his transfer targets before September 2, the close of the transfer window.
'We have been very ambitious in our attempts to get players in, some might say too ambitious. But this is Liverpool Football Club, we are trying to get the best players that we can.
'There are 11 days to go of the window, we have to do all that we can to get some players in.
'You need the best players to help you climb. There is always initial disappointment when you miss out but we did some business at the start of the window and if we can get some more in, we will have had a very good window.'
Part of the team: Suarez, seen here on Tuesday, has been training at Melwood
Please someone anyone turn the mike off when this guy speaks. And yes Brendan, we know Liverpool is a football club you don't have to keep telling us.
- RJP , Nice, 23/8/2013 11:19
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