Is it too early to start this?
I think some rotation is necessary for this game, plus an unconvincing performance from many players gives Rodgers a good excuse to make a few changes.
I would stick with Can at RCB, he played well after coming on and deserves to be given a chance to establish himself. Also I am really tempted to find someone to replace Skrtel as the middle CB. Lately he's been very poor defensively, arguably at fault for both goals against Arsenal and made a whole string of mistakes yesterday (although he partially redeemed himself a couple of good interventions late on). Rodgers will probably stick with Skrtel, but I would consider playing Toure as the middle CB with Can and Sakho both sides of him. Another option would be to give one more chance to Lovren, but I'm not sure it's the right time for that yet.
At LWB I think Markovic definitely needs a rest, particularly after he played the whole 90 minutes yesterday, which is unusual for him. Step up Moreno. At RWB Henderson looks mentally and physically fatigued – step up Manquillo. Like I said before, wing-back is the most energy-draining position on the pitch and it's better to rotate than to field same players on a short rest.
So, my back 5:
Manquillo--Can-Toure-Sakho--Moreno
Gerrard definitely needs to be rested. But what can we do if Allen is still injured, Can starts in defense, and Hendo plays at RWB lately and also needs to be rested? I would go to the system Rodgers used at home vs West Brom in October – move Coutinho back to the deep-lying playmaker role, alongside Lucas, with another midfielder (Lallana – in the West Brom game it was Henderson) making constant runs forward from the tip of the "triangle" and trying to get on the end of Coutinho's passes. This system would not work against Burnley or Stoke, but it can work against teams that "play football" and don't press overly aggressively: teams such as Swans.
So, midfield 3:
--Lucas-Coutinho--
-------Lallana--------
Finally, the front 2 depends on whether Sterling needs a rest. If not, then I would go with him and Balotelli up front. If yes, then probably Borini and Balotelli.
---------Can-Toure-Sakho---------
Manquillo-------------------Moreno
-----------Lucas-Coutinho----------
----------------Lallana-----------------
------Sterling(Borini)--Balotelli----
I think some rotation is necessary for this game, plus an unconvincing performance from many players gives Rodgers a good excuse to make a few changes.
I would stick with Can at RCB, he played well after coming on and deserves to be given a chance to establish himself. Also I am really tempted to find someone to replace Skrtel as the middle CB. Lately he's been very poor defensively, arguably at fault for both goals against Arsenal and made a whole string of mistakes yesterday (although he partially redeemed himself a couple of good interventions late on). Rodgers will probably stick with Skrtel, but I would consider playing Toure as the middle CB with Can and Sakho both sides of him. Another option would be to give one more chance to Lovren, but I'm not sure it's the right time for that yet.
At LWB I think Markovic definitely needs a rest, particularly after he played the whole 90 minutes yesterday, which is unusual for him. Step up Moreno. At RWB Henderson looks mentally and physically fatigued – step up Manquillo. Like I said before, wing-back is the most energy-draining position on the pitch and it's better to rotate than to field same players on a short rest.
So, my back 5:
Manquillo--Can-Toure-Sakho--Moreno
Gerrard definitely needs to be rested. But what can we do if Allen is still injured, Can starts in defense, and Hendo plays at RWB lately and also needs to be rested? I would go to the system Rodgers used at home vs West Brom in October – move Coutinho back to the deep-lying playmaker role, alongside Lucas, with another midfielder (Lallana – in the West Brom game it was Henderson) making constant runs forward from the tip of the "triangle" and trying to get on the end of Coutinho's passes. This system would not work against Burnley or Stoke, but it can work against teams that "play football" and don't press overly aggressively: teams such as Swans.
So, midfield 3:
--Lucas-Coutinho--
-------Lallana--------
Finally, the front 2 depends on whether Sterling needs a rest. If not, then I would go with him and Balotelli up front. If yes, then probably Borini and Balotelli.
---------Can-Toure-Sakho---------
Manquillo-------------------Moreno
-----------Lucas-Coutinho----------
----------------Lallana-----------------
------Sterling(Borini)--Balotelli----
