Liverpool
manager Brendan Rodgers insists he cannot play 'Fantasy Football' with
his team while attempting to justify his decision to field a weakened
team against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
(continued)
Liverpool
lost 1-0 at the Bernabeu, with Rodgers making seven changes from the
side that lost to Newcastle on Saturday, including dropping Steven
Gerrard, but says his job to focus on the strength of the squad.
Saturday's game against Chelsea will be Liverpool's seventh in 21 days.
He said: 'The players justified the team selection. This is not fantasy football.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard (right) takes part in a training drill at Melwood ahead of facing Chelsea
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers appeared in good spirits despite his side's defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday
'It's not on a computer, we are playing these games. We have had seven games in 21 days. My job is to focus on our games.'
Rodgers also revealed Gerrard had a scan on his hamstring the day before the game, which may have influenced his decision.
'It might be hard for some people to understand because you are not privy to the information that I am.
'Steven had a scan on his hamstring on the Monday before we went.
'I
put out best team to get a result. I thought the players were
magnificent. I know there has been criticism but it does the players a
disservice.
'The
idea was to stay in the game for 65 minutes. We then wanted to open
them up in the last 25 mins with Steven's [Gerrard] passing.
Simon Mignolet will be looking to continue the form he showed against Real when Liverpool face Chelsea
Balotelli (left) runs at fellow summer signing Dejan Lovren (right) as Henderson watches on
Gerrard shows off his free-kick technique as Philippe Coutinho (left), Balotelli and Henderson look on
'Kolo [Toure], Lucas, [Adam] Lallana were outstanding. You can't call them reserves.'
Rodgers'
summer signing Divock Origi from Lille will be returning to Merseyside
on Thursday night with the French side having been loaned back for the
season.
His
side face Everton in the Europa League, and Rodgers revealed he is in
good contact with the highly-rated 19-year-old striker.
'We are in regular contact with the kid. He is a wonderful talent and I see all his games.
'He is a big talent and when he plays in France then we get the games downloaded.
'We have to respect that he is concentrating on his club and he has an important game.'
They
might be under huge pressure to inflict a first defeat of the season on
Chelsea this weekend but Liverpool's players weren't showing any sign
of it as they trained at Melwood.
Defender Dejan Lovren, not Liverpool's preferred free-kick taker, attempts an effort at goal in training
Part owner of Liverpool Tom Werner talks with Kolo Toure during the session at Melwood
Raheem Sterling (left) and Glen Johnson (right) share a joke as Liverpool prepare to host Jose Mourinho's side
While
his decision drew huge criticism from pundits and former professionals,
Rodgers' players appeared in good spirits as they were put through
their paces on Thursday.
Mario
Balotelli, who spent the entirety of Wednesday's game in Madrid sat on
the bench, looked particularly happy as he grappled with Jordan
Henderson during a drill.
The
controversial Italian, who is yet to score a Premier League this season
after moving to Anfield from AC Milan last summer, will know there's no
better time for him to break his duck than against John Terry and Co in
two days' time.
Rodgers
himself was also seen laughing and joking with his players, suggesting
that the Reds boss is fully focused on Saturday's must-win game after a
difficult few days on and off the pitch.
He
is set to recall key players including Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling
and Jordan Henderson, all of whom were rested against the La Liga side,
when Chelsea visit Merseyside.
Defender Dejan Lovren (centre) hugs team-mates Johnson (left) and Balotelli (right) in the rain
Liverpoo midfielder Henderson (left) holds off Balotelli (right) as the pair race during a drill on Thursday
Kolo
Toure, who has played himself into contention for a starting spot
against Chelsea after a fine performance in the defeat to Carlo
Ancelotti's side, has questioned whether the current league leaders are
capable of going the whole season unbeaten.
'Chelsea
have a good team,' said Toure, who was part of Arsenal's Invincibles in
2003. 'With the squad they have of course they can do it, but its not
the only quality. It is about mentality. Every game is challenging and
sometimes things don't go well for you but you need to be able to come
back and carry on fighting. The season has just started. We will see.
'Chelsea
have a good team,' said Toure, who was part of Arsenal's Invincibles in
2003. 'With the squad they have of course they can do it, but its not
the only quality. It is about mentality. Every game is challenging and
sometimes things don't go well for you but you need to be able to come
back and carry on fighting. The season has just started. We will see.
Jordan Henderson attempts a free-kick round the metal wall during the session at Melwood
Toure (centre) is not convinced that Chelsea will go the entire season unbeaten as Arsenal did in 2003
The Reds host Premier League leaders Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, kick-off 12.45
'It's
a great chance (to end the argument)! But the most important is we want
to win the game. It's a very important game when you think what they do
to us last season, that cost us the league and now we have the chance
to beat them. I can't wait for that, honestly.
'Every
game for Liverpool you want to win and Chelsea are playing well now.
When you play at home in a game like that it is going to be attacking
teams. Chelsea attack and Liverpool attack as well. I think you are
going to see a great game. We want to win
'This
season they will attack... with the players they have they can't defend
all the time. I think they will just try to score goal and we will try
to score goals. It's going to be a great game, definitely.'
Divock Origi is loan at Lille from Liverpool after signing for Rodgers' side in the summer
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