LIVERPOOL WILL EXPERIMENT
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says that he may tinker with the team selection for the match against Real Madrid in the hope of keeping his players fresh for the weekend’s match against Chelsea.
He has heavily suggested that Steven Gerrard may be rested for this match. The Liverpool captain has featured in almost 1400 minutes of action this season. At 34 years of age, he does not have the legs to play twice a week. Hence, Rodgers has to find a way to keep him fresh for the important matches.
Liverpool suffered a heavy defeat against Madrid in the previous match at Anfield. They come into the encoder at the Santiago Bernebeu knowing that anything other than a victory will be disastrous for their aspirations of reaching the last 16 stage.
Even at this moment, Liverpool’s progression will be put into major doubt if Basel win their match against Ludogorets, with Liverpool missing out on lucrative revenue that could be put to better use by the new stadium architect. Basel have the same number of points as Liverpool, but a win against the Champions League newcomers will put them three points clear with two matches left to play. Despite this precarious situation, Rodgers appears to be putting his eggs into the match against Chelsea.
Resting key players like Mario Balotelli and Gerrard appears to be on the cards for Liverpool, who have included Daniel Sturridge in the travelling squad despite not being fit. "I don’t see it as a gamble. 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,” said Rodgers. Soccer betting odds from various bookmakers place Cristiano Ronaldo at an incredible 3/1 to score at any time in the match. The Portuguese superstar has scored 22 goals in 18 matches this season.