Everton manager Ronald Koeman has played down speculation linking him with a move for Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, stating “there is no interest” in the England global.
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Pep Guardiola confirmed that there were no fresh injury concerns ahead of this home clash with Slaven Bilic’s side and confirmed that new goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will play no part.
Hart, who had initially been linked with a possible move to Everton or Sevilla, has not been helped by City seeking a loan transfer fee for the player, and a salary that stands around £120,000 a week.
However, former Reds boss Brendan Rodgers believes Hart would be a good fit for Liverpool. I will treat him like anyone if he stays, I will treat him the way he deserves.
“Now I will challenge the other great goalkeepers the club has and together I hope we can win many trophies”.
Guardiola said, via the Independent: “Joe is still a player of us and I am happy with him today”.
“It was good to see him play again”.
With less than a week remaining of the summer transfer window, Hart could be facing the possibility of remaining at City as third choice behind Bravo and Caballero.
City’s fans sang “Don’t sell Joe Hart!” and “City’s number one!”, while a second-half chorus of “Stand up if you love Joe Hart!” drew nearly the whole stadium to its feet.
“I think he might be better off actually going overseas and trying to find somewhere where he can use his ability as a goalkeeper and learn the back-pass situation”.
Hart, the long-time number one at the Etihad Stadium, lost his place to Willy Caballero for the first two league games of the season, although he did play in the midweek Champions League defeat of Steaua Bucharest.
He added: “We spoke with Joe, we spoke about [his situation]. Only if there is no risk are we going to use them, and then only one of them”. But I am not the type of manager to talk about players.
“I grew up in Catalonia, I was 13 years old when I went to their academy, promoted to a professional player and trainer”.
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Corrigan also warned 33-year-old Bravo that despite his experience, he faces a tough task to acclimatise to Premier League football as he attempts to justify his price-tag and top billing.
