Brendan Rodgers has warned potential transfer targets he will not be held to ransom over wages and fees as Liverpool look to make amends for a period of unsuccessful big-money signings.

The Reds are still dealing with the consequences of Kenny Dalglish’s time in charge, when Jordan Henderson, Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing were bought for a combined fee in the region of €92 million.

And having finally tied starlet Raheem Sterling to a long-term contract after lengthy negotiations, Rodgers insists he is only interested in players hungry for success rather than financial reward.

“You have to get hungry players in who want to work and want to fight to be successful – that is the biggest thing for me,” he told reporters.

“They will get a good contract coming here but if they want to argue over money, and other things that go around it, I don’t want them here. In my experience those players will eventually let you down anyway.

“So, for us, it is about getting players in who are hungry to succeed and to pull on the shirt.

“That’s the simple message for any player coming here – you can’t take the money and run. You have to earn the right to play for this club and to help us succeed.”

The sticking point in contract negotiations with Sterling supposedly was reportedly the player’s insistence on a weekly salary of €36,800.

However, after the two parties agreed on a ‘long-term’ contract extension on Friday afternoon, Sterling told the official Liverpool website of his excitement.

“It was so frustrating that everyone thought I was not going to sign when you know deep down that you are going to sign sooner or later,” he said.

“So it was just really good to get it over and done with. I’m happy with that.”