LIVERPOOL MANAGER BRENDAN Rodgers says he could rest captain Steven Gerrard for this evening’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
Rodgers says the Premier League is his number one priority this season, ahead of European competition, and will consider sidelining his skipper to keep him fresh for Saturday’s game against Chelsea at Anfield.
Gerrard’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign and he has recently been linked with a move to Manchester City, and Rodgers insists he would not be taking a risk by keeping him on the bench in Madrid.
“I don’t see it as a gamble,” he told reporters.
“This week and these games against the likes of Real Madrid, I see as a great opportunity for the squad – you put them out there and you put your trust in them to perform.
“In Steven’s case, if he is playing on Saturday I have to look at what is the priority for him and us. If he played against Newcastle and didn’t play tomorrow night you could say that was the priority.
“Him and I have spoken about that. Three big games, Newcastle, Madrid and then Chelsea. I need to look at a number of players to look at the games we want them to play in.
“But I have also got to look at [the fact] we brought in other players. And there is responsibility. But there is no doubt that our priorities are the Premier League and the Champions League, and always in that order.”
– Goal.com
I would have dropped him as well, fair play Brendan.
No…Brendan didn’t have the balls to say “dropped”
Basically saying.we’re goina get destroyed anyways so what does it matter
The beginning of the end.
Rested is a nice way of saying dropped at this stage. It’s going to be damage limitations tonight any way so best save him for Saturday morning.
I think he means drop
The sad thing is gerrard was our best player vs newcastle. People saying hes finished is a joke hes twice as good as our other midfielders and like balotelli is the scapegoat when players like allen, henderson, sterling, lovren were all brutal at the weekend
Twice as good as the other midfielders. That still doesn’t say much.
Squad rotation is something you use in home League Cup games against League 2 sides… Not away Champion’s League games against the current champions.
7-0 to Real put your house on it !
He needs to be rested his times up
Rested or dropped ?
The premier league is his priority… does he think Liverpool are going to win it!!!!
I think he needs to ensure that Liverpool get to the knock out stages, outside of ourselves its a weak group and Liverpool would expect to get 2nd.
Resting Gerard is a pure white flag.
I would think it’s the right thing to do. Tonight will have no bearing on whether Liverpool make the knockout stages out not. It will be the same result with our without Stevie. The club do need to start picking up points in the league pretty quickly. Resting him is a good move.
jordan henderdaughter will step up to the plate or shud i say bowl