Liverpool are in League Cup action tonight as they host Notts County at Anfield, and Brendan Rodgers says he has learned from mistakes made last season.
The Reds boss saw his side go out of the domestic cups to Swansea and Oldham, having fielded weakened teams on both occasions. Swansea went on to win the League Cup.
“I made some mistakes last season in terms of changing the team” admitted Rodgers.
He is quoted explaining to The Liverpool Echo:
“I think the group is more prepared in every way than what we were last year. I think for us, cup competitions are important as well as the league and we will give it absolutely everything to get as far as we can.
“The league is number one priority but this is a club based around cup competitions and trophies.
“We feel we are better equipped and we will give it everything we can to go as far as we can.”
The League Cup in particular has become a competition that top sides use to rotate their squad, and Rodgers will still do likewise – just not to the same extent as before, and he clearly feels more confident in the depth within his squad now:
“Managers tend to utilise squad in these games but it will be an opportunity for some players to get a game who maybe have not featured. The core of our team will be there, if there is an opportunity to recover one or two players who have niggles we look at that but we will have a strong side out.”
Defender Andre Wisdom is expected to get an opportunity, have performed well in pre-season, while young attackers Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe are in contention for starts. Midfielder Luis Alberto will make his full debut for the club, while Joe Allen will make his first start this season.
Martin Skrtel and Martin Kelly aren’t expected to feature, due to injury. Aly Cissokho will likely be handed his full debut at left back after his cameo against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Rodgers will choose between newboy Iago Aspas – who has started both League games in a withdrawn role – or Italian Fabio Borini as the team’s central attacker.
16 year old academy midfielder Jordan Rossiter is rumoured to be in the squad.
With Man United the visitors to Anfield on Sunday, Rodgers is expected to take the opportunity to rest Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard, among others.
Possible XI: Mignolet, Johnson, Wisdom, Agger, Cissokho, Allen, Alberto, Sterling, Aspas, Ibe, Borini.
Kick off tonight is 7:45pm, tickets are still available. The match is live on Sky Sports (UK).
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