Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has claimed that his players want more competition for places at the club.

Liverpool are rumoured to be interested in bringing Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge and Blackpool's Thomas Ince to the club in January, while the likes of Stewart Downing have been linked with moves away from Anfield.

However, Rodgers believes that any signings the club do make will have a positive effect on the rest of the squad.

"If you ask the players here, what they want is a competitive group. Of course they want to play but they know what makes them play at their best is competition and that is what we are striving to do," said Rodgers.

"A competitive squad is knowing you have to be at the top of your game week in, week out to retain the shirt else there is someone in the background who can take your place.

"If we are going to compete going forward we need to have that."

Liverpool currently sit eighth in the Premier League table following their 4-0 win over Fulham at the weekend.