The Kopite View

Rodgers Was Wrong To Play Sterling

Liverpool scraped past a stubborn Middlesbrough side at Anfield on Tuesday night in the third round of the Capital One Cup. The Reds were taken to penalties after Bamford converted a penalty in the last minute of extra-time before the drama of the penalty shoot-out.

The 120 minutes football was thrilling enough with 17-year-old debutant Jordan Rossiter giving the hosts the lead before Adam Reach levelled. Suso put Liverpool ahead again in extra-time before Bamford’s last minute leveller.

But no-one could have anticipated what was to follow with Liverpool finally winning the penalty shoot-out 14-13 in dramatic fashion.

Liverpool were relieved to scrape through to the next round of the competition but with Everton next up on Saturday they could have done with a less dramatic and shorter night.

My biggest concern was Rodgers starting Raheem Sterling in a competition that should be the least of Liverpool’s priorities. It wasn’t so long ago that Rodgers felt the need to rest Sterling in a league game against Aston Villa, yet he played the 19-year-old for the full 120 minutes against Middlesbrough.

Sterling is arguably Liverpool’s most important player right now and last night’s game was energy sapping enough but the England international also was on the receiving end of a very tough challenge near the end and hopefully he is fine for Saturday’s massive game.

Rodgers needs Sterling at his best and Tuesday night was the ideal opportunity to rest him.

Liverpool Have A Squad To Deal With Injury Crisis

Brendan Rodgers counted the cost of the international break that left him with a few injury worries that he could have done without. Daniel Sturridge could miss the next three weeks after picking up an injury to his thigh, whilst Emre Can injured his ankle playing for Germany under-21s when they were leading 6-0, Joe Allen was also injured playing with Wales.

Martin Skrtel, Jon Flanagan and Glen Johnson are also unavailable through injury for this weekend’s match against Aston Villa. Rodgers’ lengthy injury list is unfortunate but if it was this time last year it would have been a crisis, but with all the summer signings and the nucleus of players already at the club, Rodgers has the strength in depth to cope with such troubles.

Sturridge is the biggest blow but his absence gives new signing Mario Balotelli the chance to shine, although Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini are other striking options.

Skrtel’s injury will allow Mamaduo Sakho and Dejan Lovren to play together again at the heart of Liverpool’s defence.

There are also plenty of options in midfield with Joe Allen and Emre Can unavailable with the likes of Coutinho and the fit again Adam Lallana hoping to feature with Markovic another option to play alongside Henderson, Gerrard and Sterling.

No manager wants to hear of any of their players being injured but Liverpool’s injuries might just make Rodgers’ job of picking a team that little bit easier, but now he has a squad capable of dealing with the demands of all four competitions.

Sturridge Injury Just What Balotelli Needs

Everyone connected at Liverpool are disappointed with the news that Daniel Sturridge has been injured on international duty but his absence could be just what new signing Mario Balotelli needs to kick-off his career at Anfield.

Surridge is now Liverpool’s main striker after Luis Suarez left for Barcelona in the summer, but the England international isn’t as resilient as the Uruguayan and has been plagued with injuries since joining Liverpool but his latest injury gives others a chance to step up to the plate and it presents a great chance for Balotelli to make his mark at Anfield.

Brendan Rodgers has options with Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini as other recognised strikers and he may also play with a lone striker with Sturridge’s absence.

Rodgers played with Balotelli and Sturridge up front in the 3-0 win over Spurs last weekend and he will probably play two up front again next week against Aston Villa but with all eyes on Balotelli I expect him to relish the opportunity to be Liverpool’s main striker in Sturridge’s absence.

Rodgers has been clever in taking a gamble on Balotelli after losing Suarez and he knew he needed to sign a top class striker because of Sturridge’s injury record.

The stage is set for Balotelli next week and there is no better man to thrive on this opportunity and responsibility.