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Konoplyanka deal complicated - Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers says that Liverpool's bid to sign Yevhen Konoplyanka before the transfer deadline is "complicated" because they have had so little time to sort out the deal.

Managing director Ian Ayre is in Ukraine leading talks to try to complete the £15 million signing of Dnipro winger Konoplyanka ahead of the deadline at 11pm UK time on Friday.

Liverpool made their move for the 24-year-old after losing out to Chelsea for the signature of Basel's Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah last week.

Rodgers has acknowledged that the Reds are cutting it fine to bring in Ukraine international Konoplyanka, but remains hopeful.

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The Liverpool manager said: "There's obviously an interest in the player, but there's no update.

"We'll see how it evolves. It's obviously a little complicated, but the staff who are over there have done brilliant work in terms of giving is every chance to get a player.

"We just need to see how that develops over the course of the day.

"It's all happened very quickly. The timeline on everything makes it tight. But we've had a list with a number of players on it. We'll see how things develop."

Rodgers, who indicated that there were no other incoming deals in the pipeline before the transfer window shuts, added: "We're still in the middle of building here and growing the group. I feel we're going to need a number of players [in the long term].

"But January's a very difficult market in which to do that. I'm very happy with the group that I have.

"I think every manager would love a player or a number of players to freshen up a group. It always helps and gives that extra bit of motivation.

"We'll see if we can do it. If it doesn't work out, and we don't get anyone in, we've shown over the course of the season that this is a team ready to fight all the way. But let's hope we can do something."

While Liverpool try to bring in Konoplyanka, reserve striker Michael Ngoo, 21, has left Anfield to join League One side Walsall on loan for the rest of the season.

And Northern Ireland Under-21 international right-back Ryan McLaughlin, 19, has extended his initial 28-day loan stint at Championship side Barnsley until the end of the campaign.

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