Icardi wants to stay at Inter

Mauro Icardi: Pledges his loyalty to Inter Milan

Liverpool target Mauro Icardi wants to remain at Inter Milan next season despite his club missing out on European football.

The Argentinian striker greatly contributed to Inter finishing the season in style by scoring twice in Sunday's 4-3 win over Empoli.

His two goals saw Icardi end as Serie A joint-top scorer with Hellas Verona's Luca Toni with 22 goals apiece.

"All players want to be in the Champions League, but I'm happy here at Inter," Icardi said on his club's official website. "I hope I can qualify for that competition next year with a great Nerazzurri side."

Icardi, who is a reported target of several top Premier League clubs this summer, including Liverpool, is expected to sign a contract extension with Inter.

The 22-year-old, whose current deal runs until June 2018, is set to be offered an improved contract this summer.

"In terms of my contract, I want to stay, everyone knows that," he said. "Now there just needs to be an agreement with the club.

"It will take time because we're still talking but I'm optimistic."

Icardi joined Inter in the summer of 2013 from Sampdoria and scored just nine goals in his first season at the San Siro.

The Argentina international has been in prolific form this campaign.

"I didn't expect to do so well this season, so I'm delighted," he said. "I take each game as it comes and train hard so that I can give my best.

"The team has helped me to score goals and that's why I've achieved this."

Inter have finished a disappointing campaign in eighth place and Icardi is optimistic the best is yet to come.

"I'm very happy that we finished the season on a high at the San Siro," Icardi said. "We will start next season with the memory of a win and that's a great way to kick things off.

"I'm sure that with the boss (Roberto Mancini) we'll succeed - we've been working well for a good five or six months now and we'll get better in pre-season."

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Liverpool have confirmed a pre-season fixture in Bangkok

Liverpool confirm Bangkok date

Liverpool have confirmed they will play a friendly game in Bangkok on 14 July as part of their pre-season schedule.

Brendan Rodgers' side, who last visited the Thai capital in 2013, will play the True All Stars at the 49,000-capacity Rajamangala Stadium.

It will be the first stop on a pre-season tour that will also include visits to Brisbane, Adelaide and Kuala Lumpur.

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen said: "With so many Liverpool FC fans in Thailand, the opportunity to play in the country is fantastic and the team are really looking forward to it.
 
"The reception the club received during the 2013 visit was unbelievable and I am looking forward to experiencing that passion and delivering some great football."

Liverpool pre-season fixtures

• 14 July

  – Bangkok v True All Stars

• 17 July

  – Brisbane v Brisbane Roar

• 20 July

  – Adelaide v Adelaide United

• 24 July

  – Kuala Lumpur v Malaysian XI

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Brendan Rodgers 'safe' following 'positive talks' with Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers: Job looks safe after 'positive' talks with Liverpool owners

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has held "positive" talks with the club's owners and Sky sources understand his job is safe.

Rodgers emerged from the meeting at Liverpool’s club offices on Tuesday afternoon following three hours of talks with owner Tom Werner and director Mike Gordon.

Lerner and Gordon flew into Liverpool from the United States on Monday night by private jet. Neither the club nor Rodgers have made any official comment on the talks.

But Sky sources understand that the meeting was "positive".

Sky Sports News HQ’s Vinny O’Connor said: “Yes there was disappointment about their failure to qualify for the Champions League, and there was disappointment that they’ve not been able to build on the success of the previous season.

“But as it stands it looks like the owners are being true to their word and that was that the change of manager – or potential change of manager – was not on the agenda.”

Rodgers signed a new four-year contract 12 months ago after almost winning the title but they finished fifth last season.

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