Daniel Agger has distanced himself from a Liverpool exit and has pledged his future to the club.
Brendan Rodgers' defence may need significant surgery over the summer with Sebastian Coates seemingly destined for a summer move, Jamie Carragher retiring and the future of Martin Skrtel uncertain.
However, Agger is happy at Anfield and the 28-year-old insists he is committed to his contract, which does not expire until 2016, despite him being linked with the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona 12 months ago.
"I still have three years left and I intend to fulfil them," the Denmark captain said. "There are always rumours, but who is creating them? I don't know.
"It is not a bad thing to be linked with top clubs but you have to take 70 per cent (of the speculation) off and then you have the reality."
Carragher retiring at the end of this season leaves Agger as the most experienced defender at the club, having moved to Anfield in January 2006.
While he may not be the most vocal on the pitch, Agger believes he has done - and will do - plenty in terms of leadership but admits he cannot replace Carragher.
"Jamie speaks for himself. To be at that level for that long, it's not impossible but really close," he added. "You learn from every single player you play with in training. If you want to be the best you have to learn from the best.
"I don't think you have to replace him because every footballer is not the same. Every person is different.
"When someone steps down, someone else has to take over. I play the way I do. I am the person I am and I'm doing the things I'm doing and I won't really change.
"I am taking the responsibility I need to take. I enjoy it and there are a few players who are taking a lot of responsibility."
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Brendan Rodgers' defence may need significant surgery over the summer with Sebastian Coates seemingly destined for a summer move, Jamie Carragher retiring and the future of Martin Skrtel uncertain.
However, Agger is happy at Anfield and the 28-year-old insists he is committed to his contract, which does not expire until 2016, despite him being linked with the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona 12 months ago.
"I still have three years left and I intend to fulfil them," the Denmark captain said. "There are always rumours, but who is creating them? I don't know.
"It is not a bad thing to be linked with top clubs but you have to take 70 per cent (of the speculation) off and then you have the reality."
Carragher retiring at the end of this season leaves Agger as the most experienced defender at the club, having moved to Anfield in January 2006.
While he may not be the most vocal on the pitch, Agger believes he has done - and will do - plenty in terms of leadership but admits he cannot replace Carragher.
"Jamie speaks for himself. To be at that level for that long, it's not impossible but really close," he added. "You learn from every single player you play with in training. If you want to be the best you have to learn from the best.
"I don't think you have to replace him because every footballer is not the same. Every person is different.
"When someone steps down, someone else has to take over. I play the way I do. I am the person I am and I'm doing the things I'm doing and I won't really change.
"I am taking the responsibility I need to take. I enjoy it and there are a few players who are taking a lot of responsibility."
Read more: http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/130508/daniel-agger-distances-himself-liverpool-exit-197127?#ixzz2SguG6ops
Follow us: @talksport on Twitter
