Cole, Sigurdsson in Rodgers´ sights

New Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is interested in bringing Gylfi Sigurdsson to Anfield.

But Rodgers has maintained that Swansea City deserve the chance to speak to the player first.

The Iceland international has agreed terms with the Swans after a successful loan spell from parent club Hoffenheim last season, but Rodgers’ switch to the Reds has thrown the move into doubt.

And, while revealing his continued interest in the player, Rodgers has vowed not to deter the midfielder from joining his former side.

“I wanted to sign him (Sigurdsson) for Swansea but, like I’ve said to him and his representatives, that has to be his first port of call,” Rodgers told the Liverpool website.

“I took him on loan for the second half of last season and he did very, very well. He scored seven goals and made a real, positive contribution.

“If he comes into the market for whatever reason – and I’m sure there’ll be a number of clubs interested in Gylfi – then of course I would like to be in a position to put our case here at Liverpool to sign him.

“But I’ve always said, I think he’s a player Swansea have had an agreement with and they have to have every chance to try and sign him. That’s only right.

“If anything changes from that, we’ll look at it from there.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers has opened the door for Joe Cole to return to Anfield and prove himself.

The 30-year-old joined the Reds in the summer or 2010 but, after struggling for form in his first season, was shipped out on loan to French side Lille then manager Kenny Dalglish.

Cole wants to prove himself at Liverpool and Rodgers is willing to give him a second chance, along with other fringe members of the squad.

“I met up with Joe Cole when I was in Spain, (and) I certainly know he’s looking to come back,” Rodgers said.

“I’ve got to assess all the players. With the likes of Joe – he’s a very talented player. He’s obviously gone out to Lille and done very well and he has the opportunity to come back here and show his qualities.

“For me it’s fresh for everyone. I’ll be new into the club. Of course I know lots of the players and their qualities but Joe is obviously a player who’ll want to come back and show his worth to the group.

“I suppose going forward and over the course of pre-season I just need to decide the types of players who are going to fit into the function and the philosophy and the structure of the team.”