Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that centre-back Daniel Agger is an "important" player for the club, even though he did not play regularly last season.

Rodgers said that a number of injuries have limited Agger's playing time, but he would rather the defender stayed at Anfield than return to his old side Brondby, which has been suggested.

"Daniel is one of a number of excellent players that we have playing at the back," Sky Sports News quotes Rodgers as saying. "He has been unfortunate in the time that I've been at the club because the big issue for Dan has been his availability. He has been out injured for a number of games.

"But he's an excellent player, an international captain, and he's had a very good career at Liverpool. He's at a good age, 29, and his experience can be good for us this season. He signed a new contract last season.

"You saw in the first half [against Brondby] that he's an excellent player, a very good footballer and someone that is an important member of our squad."

It is not thought that any bids have been made for the player.