Liverpool have inquired about Clint Dempsey, Brendan Rodgers admits

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers confessed his club have talked to Fulham about Clint Dempsey, the club’s website revealed to day. The extent of those discussions was not revealed. The new Reds’ boss would only confirm his admiration for the player and the fact contact was made with Fulham by Ian Ayre, LFC’s managing director.

Here’s what Rodgers had to say from Boston, where Liverpool’s beginning their summer tour:

“Clint is a player we’ve enquired about, it is as simple as that,” said Rodgers.

“Ian Ayre, our managing director, has spoken with the club to see what the position is. That is where we’re at.

“He’s a very talented player but we don’t like to talk about other clubs’ players.”

While Rodgers’ confirmation adds another layer to the story, it doesn’t change it. We assumed Liverpool was in for Dempsey. The questions surrounding that potential still exist:

• Why would Dempsey, professed to be seeking Champions League play, do it? It’s unlikely Liverpool cracks top four soon.
• Why would the Dempseys swap London for Liverpool? Or, why would they become a two city family?
• Will Liverpool offer enough to convince Fulham to forgo their last year of Dempsey?
• And why would Dempsey make this move instead of playing out his contract with Liverpool and moving on a free (when he will likley draw the interest of a number of clubs)?

It’s conversations like these that remind you: Liverpool just isn’t what it once was. In today’s game, you can’t miss Champions League three years running and expect to retain all your caché.

Still, much of that caché is still in tact; hence, this rumor. It’s not inconceivable that Dempsey would make this move. Why? Money, the security of a new contract, and a move up the world soccer ladder. Liverpool make not have been much better than Fulham last year, but in terms of prestige (something professional anythings tend to care about), it’s still different worlds.

There are lots of arguments for going to Liverpool. There are lots for turning them down. It’s what makes this situation difficult to read.