Daniel Agger
Rodgers is certain Agger will remain loyal to Liverpool. (Reuters)

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expects Daniel's Agger's loyalty to the club to keep him at Anfield amid growing interest from Barcelona.

Despite having committed his future to the club by signing a new long term contract just last October, the Denmark international has been touted as Barcelona's number one defensive target by the Spanish press.

The Catalan giants have sought to strengthen their limited options at centre half with a move for Paris Saint Germain star Thiago Silva until the Brazil international ended speculation by signing a new contract with the Parisians.

Agger is thought to top a list that also includes Chelsea's David Luiz and Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany but Rodgers strongly believes the Dane's loyalty will prevail over the lure of playing for the Spanish champions.

"This is all about loyalty," Rodgers told a press conference ahead of Liverpool's friendly against Valerenga on Wednesday.

"He's obviously a world-class defender. Daniel is very committed to Liverpool; he's one of the players that have really impressed me.

"If we're talking about loyalty, he was one of the first players that I spoke to when I became the manager. At the time, there were a number of big clubs looking to sign Daniel.

"But he gave me his word that for as long as I wanted him to be at Liverpool, he would be at Liverpool. He has never swayed from that.

"He has an unswerving commitment to Liverpool which is so refreshing. His loyalty to the club is incredible.

"I would suspect when he signed his new contract last year, he was hoping that this would be the contract that's going to allow him to see out the best part of his career at Liverpool."

The stylish centre half was integral to Rodgers' defence last season, forging a solid partnership with Jamie Carragher. But following the former vice-captain's retirement at the end of last season, the Liverpool boss may still be pursuing further options at centre half, particularly as speculation surrounding the future of Martin Skrtel lingers.

After falling out of favour with Rodgers during the second half of last season, the Slovakian defender remains linked with a move to Napoli where he would link up with his former boss Rafael Benitez and Pepe Reina, in addition to his compatriot Marek Hamsik.

There is still uncertainty over what the new season will hold for Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates who struggled to earn first team opportunities from Rodgers last season, making just five Premier League appearances, only two of which were starts.

Kolo Toure remains the club's only defensive acquisition of the summer, signed on a free transfer from Manchester City.