Brendan Rodgers plays down Andy Carroll, Hatem Ben Arfa swap deal

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has attempted to quash speculation that the club are interested in signing Newcastle United midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa.

Reports emerged this week claiming that the Reds are willing to use Andy Carroll as a bargaining chip to bring the Frenchman to Anfield in the summer.

"I only just heard about that in the way in [to training]," Rodgers told talkSPORT. "The thing I've learnt about Liverpool is that, just because of the sheer size of the club, there are players linked with us all the time.

"As a manager, you are just trying to focus on the group you have got and then we will review anything at the end of the season, in terms of players coming in. There's no doubt we want to strengthen but there's certainly no names out there."

Ben Arfa has made just 13 appearances for the Magpies this season due to an injury-ravaged campaign.