Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers expected to sell Pepe Reina but the keeper will now leave the Reds on loan after that offer never materialised. The Spain international is on the verge of completing a season-long move to Napoli in Serie A.

Reina has been linked with a move to Barcelona and Rodgers hinted that he had been preparing himself for his goalkeeper to depart the club.

"It was obviously a difficult decision. From last season I was led to believe that we were going to get an offer for Pepe that would probably see him leave the club," said Rodgers.

"On the football side, we have to protect the team, and at that stage we started our search for another goalkeeper.

"That found us Simon Mignolet, who is top class - one of the top young European goalkeepers.

"As events transpired, that move (for Reina) didn't happen and it left us with two very good goalkeepers. Both would have been fighting for the No.1 position."

He added: "An opportunity arose for Pepe and it was one we felt as a football club was best for him to take.

"As a senior goalkeeper, he needs to be playing. It's a very important year for him with the World Cup next year. It wouldn't have served any purpose, both for the club and him personally, if he'd been the one missing out.

"It's decided he will go to Napoli and we've got two very good goalkeepers still at the football club."