Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers says that it was a difficult decision to send goalkeeper Pepe Reina on a loan deal to Napoli, but because of miss-communication at the club he had to leave.

Rodgers explained that the club was expecting the 30-year-old goalkeeper to be on his way out of Anfield at the end of last season, which led to the signing of Simon Mignolet.

However, with the move falling through for Reina, Rodgers was left with no choice but to loan the player to Napoli because he thought it was best for his career.

“It was obviously a difficult decision,” said Rodgers.

“From last season, really, as a manager I was led to believe that we were going to get an offer for Pepe that would probably see him leave the club.

“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's 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.

“Then obviously 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.”

Reina is now set to be reunited with former Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez in Italy after passing his medical with the Serie A club.

Mignolet is expected to take over as Liverpool’s number one goalkeeper with Australian international Brad Jones as his cover.