Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has defended his summer transfer dealings, claiming that the club were forced to work within strict financial constraints.

The Reds brought in Iago Aspas, Simon Mignolet, Mamadou Sakho, Tiago Ilori, Luis Alberto and Kolo Toure in the summer, while Victor Moses and Aly Cissokho also arrived on loan.

However, Rodgers missed out on a host of big-name signings including Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa as well as Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Willian, who went to Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea respectively.

"It was about the players who were affordable and available," Rodgers is quoted as saying to the Liverpool Echo.

"We tried to get a host of players in and get the types who could improve us. At the same time we knew we had some who were going and had to replace the likes of Jonjo Shelvey so we needed to bring in ones who would give us cover.

"If you're not getting ones in because they decided to go somewhere else or they weren't available then it's a Catch 22. A lot of work went into looking to improve [the squad]. We are not in a position to spend money for the sake of it."

The Reds host Norwich City on Wednesday.