Topic: Rotation and Squad Management: Are We Doing Enough?

[rafathegaffa83]

Rotation. The R-word. A word that conjures up in the English media ideas of "Rotating Rafa" and Claudio "The Tinkerman" Ranieri. A few years ago, those who would rotate were treated in the same manner as alchemists and snake oil salesman. Pundits would often sneer at rotators "Why rotate when you need to play your best team?" or "He doesn't know his best eleven." Of course, the exception to the rule being that Alex Ferguson rotated for years without much fuss. However, those who rotate understand the benefits for it are enormous. A season is a marathon, not sprint and rotation aids in among other things keeping a large squad fresh, happy and on their toes. Rest and competitiveness are paramount in both a mental and physical sense in a long season, especially when many teams in the past who haven't rotated, notably O'Neill's Aston Villa and Curbishley's Charlton sides have begun to heavily flag in February and March.

This season has seen some members of the sports science team leave to be replaced with others. Yet, rotation, a previous byword of disdain for its critics, has barely been mentioned so far this campaign, yet it needs discussing. Some elements associated with it have already been noted in the excellent Fitness and Recovery thread outlining some of the training ideas espoused under Rodgers for physical fitness. Certainly, Brendan Rodgers has been working under some restraints. It is not ideal to be going into mid-December with one fit senior forward. However, it is possible that in other areas, he hasn't fully maximized what is at his disposal.

December brings with it festive cheer and games galore. The effects of December's packed schedule are not always felt immediately. Arguably, we are seeing evidence in some players that a lack of rotation so far, in the league in particular, has not been beneficial, particularly those in more physically intensive roles. The likes of Joe Allen, Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard have looked at times sluggish and tired. So far, this season two players (Steven Gerrard and Joe Allen) have started in all seventeen league games this season. Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel have played in sixteen. Had Suarez and Agger not been suspended, they surely would have ranked alongside Allen and Gerrard. The teenage Sterling has started every year league game bar West Brom away, the first game of the season. Skrtel missed out against Chelsea due to illness. His defensive partner, Daniel Agger admitted that he too should not have played in that game due to a groin injury. Glen Johnson and Pepe Reina have missed two and four games respectively with hamstring injuries.

With the exception of Sterling and possibly Allen, all of the aforementioned are senior players. The lack of squad depth in certain areas, forward for instance, as well as the injury to key players like Lucas Leiva certainly has put Brendan Rodgers in a difficult position. However, is it truly necessary for Liverpool to start some of these players on a regular basis, no matter their level of form? Personally, I would argue, it isn't beneficial in the long-term to do so, not simply from an individual fitness perspective, but also from a meritocracy standpoint.

In terms of starts in the league this season, the list is as follows

Starts in the league

Allen - 17
Gerrard - 17
Suarez - 16
Sterling - 16
Agger - 16
Skrtel - 16
Johnson - 15
Reina - 13
Enrique - 9
Wisdom - 7
Sahin - 7
Suso - 6
Borini - 5
Shelvey - 4
Lucas - 4
Kelly -4
Downing - 4
Jones -4
Henderson -2
Carragher -1
Coates -1
Morgan - 0
Cole - 0
Carroll - 0
Assaidi - 0
Adam - 0

Rodgers method of squad management, appears to be structured around having a core group start regularly with others brought in an as needs basis. The needs in this case primarily seem to be due to injuries or suspensions. What is interesting is that whereas the likes of Allen, Gerrard and Sterling have been flagging in recent weeks, they don't appear to be getting dropped or rotated in and out of the team, in the league. In fact the matchday squad has remained largely the same for most of the season

Times named in the matchday squad in the league

Allen -17 (100%)
Gerrard - 17 (100%)
Jones - 17 (100%)
Henderson - 17 (100%)
Carragher - 17 (100%)
Sterling - 16 (94%)
Agger - 16 (94%)
Suarez -16 (94%)
Skrtel - 16 (94%)
Johnson - 15 (88%)
Downing - 14 (82%)
Shelvey - 14 (82%)
Reina - 13 (76%)
Sahin - 13 (76%)
Suso - 13 (76%)
Enrique -13 (76%)
Wisdom - 10 (58%)
Coates - 10 (58%)
Assaidi- 9 (52%)
Cole - 7 (41%)
Borini - 7 (41%)
Kelly - 4 (29%)
Lucas -4 (29%)
Gulasci -4 (29%)
Carroll -2 (11%)
Adam - 1 (5%)
Morgan - 1 (5%)

Certainly, had it not been for injury the likes of Lucas, Borini and Kelly would have been named into the squad more often. But even the likes of Lucas, has not even featured as a substitute in the league, despite returning from serious injury. As soon as he has been fit, he has started almost immediately. Notably Carragher and Henderson have been in the matchday squad for every game this season. The latter has performed admirably well at times, yet has only started twice in the league. Shelvey and the much maligned Downing has been drafted into the matchday squad fourteen times each, yet both have only started four league games, at least one of which involved them playing in an unfamiliar role. Suso had a stretch in which he featured in eight consecutive league games as a sub or starter between September 29th and November 17th, yet he hasn't started or featured in a game since.

What is also interesting is that only ten different players have come off the bench this season for Liverpool with Carragher, Cole, Henderson and Shelvey being the most frequently used subs. In contrast, Manchester United have had fifteen different players come off the bench for them this season. Fulham have had eighteen, Tottenham seventeen. Even Everton with their small squad have had eleven.

Times named to substitutes bench/substitute appearances in the league

Carragher -16/5
Henderson  - 15/8
Jones - 13/0
Coates -10/2
Shelvey - 9/7
Downing -9/3
Assaidi - 9/3
Cole - 6/5
Suso - 6/4
Sahin -6/0
Enrique -4/2
Gulasci - 4/0
Wisdom -3/0
Carroll - 2/2
Borini -2/0
Kelly - 1/0
Adam - 1/0
Morgan - 1/0

Assaidi and Cole seem to be impact subs only with the latter seeing a surprising lot of action. Despite injuries and suspensions at the left-back and forward positions, Dani Pacheco and Jack Robinson haven't even had a look-in. Sahin, while infrequently being named to the bench, never leaves it in the league at least.

Certainly, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of rotation going on and that the squad can be seemingly divided into three groups. A core group of mostly established players appear to start, as long as they are fit to do so, regardless of form (Suarez, Gerrard, Allen, Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Lucas, Sterling). A secondary group mostly of younger midfield and defensive players like Wisdom, Henderson, Shelvey and Suso do sometimes start, but only if one of the back-four or fixed midfield three (Gerrard, Lucas, Allen) are injured. These players like in Henderson's case at the beginning of the season and Suso's at the present time, may make several appearances in a row, but then might not even leave the substitute's bench for a prolonged period. Lastly, there is a tertiary group of players, who mostly play in the cup competitions and hardly see any action in the league, particularly as starters (Coates, Assaidi)

One could argue that Rodgers is treating the squad as an A team for the league and a B team for mostly European and domestic cup competitions. However, while some of these some of these players are getting more games in European and domestic cup competitions (Carragher has 9 appearances in European games), some are noticeably not (Coates (3) and Wisdom (4)) and some "A" members are being drafted in EL games either as starters or players coming off the bench when the team is struggling (Sterling - 8 EL appearances; Johnson and Allen -5 EL appearances; Suarez, Gerrard and Skrtel -6 EL appearances).

However, is that enough? And we rotating enough in the league? Personally, I would state no in either form. Since the cup competitions are not entirely the domain of reserve and youth as some would like, with us falling back on first-team players on a regular basis,  the purpose of providing them with an outlet for playing time isn't being fully fulfilled. Secondly, since many first-team players are playing increasing amounts in both league and cup competitions, it necessitates rotating or engaging in more purposeful squad management as we run the risk of burning out key players before the critical point in the season. Thirdly, with some players appearing virtually undroppable, there is the danger of creating a system which inhibits the development of some players and provides little competition. How Brendan deals with this issue over the next few weeks will be crucial for the direction of our season deep into March, April and May.

[Number 7]

I think Rodgers is still trying to figure out his best 11. Sahin, Suso and Wisdom have all been tried has starters and have recently fallen out of favour, maybe because Rodgers doesn't see them as first 11 players.

The argument is that we don't have enough quality in the squad to be able to effectively rotate, and therefore not maximize our chances of winning every game. That is why Sterling continues to play every game, because we can't jeopardize our chances of creating in the final 3rd. You start resting Sterling and our options immediately become limited. It's just the hand we've been dealt.

Also, many players in their respective positions are undroppable, because you rotate them with someone else and you're not convinced the level required will be the same. Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Lucas, Enrique (when fit) Allen, Gerrard, Sterling and Suarez are such players. That's almost the entire first 11. It's also the core like you say, but realistically it's also the group you have most faith in to get a result. Rodgers has only had one transfer window to bring in the players he wants to cement as part of a quality squad. He's just about getting to the point where he knows who his first 11 is, before we can switch a player or 2 out and still maintain the system he wants to play.

Rodgers has tried Sahin in early PL games, and may have decided he's not up to tempo required in PL matches. With Borini, we can't really make a judgement because he got injured so early. There doesn't appear to be a starting place for Henderson with a midfield 3 of Lucas-Allen-Gerrard. I'm not really sure why Coates isn't getting more of a look in, because I think he played well against Man City.

Until we more quality in the squad, I don't think we're at liberty to try rotation as much. With no Europa League until February now we'll continue to see a more settled first 11, and probably very little rotation.

You see many teams in the Champions League rotate players, but those teams have Champions League calibre squads. We did rotate in the Europa League, but we didn't face Champions League teams so we just about got away with it. Hopefully with reinforcements in January we'll be able to afford to rest the likes of Sterling.

.

[Benimar Col]

Rotation doesn't always suit, round holes square pegs, you can only do it with hungry players, dont think we have got the hunger in depth, that thought was compounded with today's awful performance

Never liked it, still don't like it, no need for it in the 70s or 80s when we only had one then two subs on the bench, now we've got seven it's gone mad,

I'm sure there's a hell of a lot of kidology by present day managers in this,

[007.lankyguy]

Rotation doesn't always suit, round holes square pegs, you can only do it with hungry players, dont think we have got the hunger in depth, that thought was compounded with today's awful performance

Never liked it, still don't like it, no need for it in the 70s or 80s when we only had one then two subs on the bench, now we've got seven it's gone mad,

I'm sure there's a hell of a lot of kidology by present day managers in this,

To be fair, the game is quite different now to how it was in the 70s. Quicker tempo, better organisation, less time on the ball. All weaknesses get shown up. Managers don't make these things up. Rotation is important

[LFC when it suits]

We simply aren't using the squad enough. Our squad is much better than people think. We just aren't getting the best out of players. There is also no competition for places which must be really disheartening for players on the sidelines. The likes of Allen, Sterling and Gerrard will play regardless of their form whereas the likes of Henderson will play better than those who start, but will still stay on the bench. Players are keeping their place on the team due to reputation.

Our squad is great with the exception of thes striker department. We aren't getting the best out of it.

[JackWard33]

Rotation doesn't always suit, round holes square pegs, you can only do it with hungry players, dont think we have got the hunger in depth, that thought was compounded with today's awful performance

Never liked it, still don't like it, no need for it in the 70s or 80s when we only had one then two subs on the bench, now we've got seven it's gone mad,

I'm sure there's a hell of a lot of kidology by present day managers in this,

There was no need for it in the 70s and 80s because the tempo was slower, the demands less and you didnt have other squads using it

The reason it works is its not about how fit the players (clearly a professional athlete can play 2 games in a week) its about how high their level is compared to their opposition and just a small drop can give the other team the edge

The team and manager in the PL who rotate the most are Man United under Ferguson and it seems to have worked

The short answer is - no ... and we'll pay for it in the second half of the season if it doesnt change

[LFC when it suits]

You see many teams in the Champions League rotate players, but those teams have Champions League calibre squads. We did rotate in the Europa League, but we didn't face Champions League teams so we just about got away with it. Hopefully with reinforcements in January we'll be able to afford to rest the likes of Sterling.

Here's a newsflash. We only play 8 games a season against Champions League teams. The teams we played in the Europa League are as good as anything we play in the Premier League bar the top four teams. That Europe League group was tough as hell and to get 10 points from 18 with as much rotation as we did, is excellent.

In the league, we should be rotating more and we should be using our full squad which is much better than is getting credit for.

[Number 7]

Here's a newsflash. We only play 8 games a season against Champions League teams. The teams we played in the Europa League are as good as anything we play in the Premier League bar the top four teams. That Europe League group was tough as hell and to get 10 points from 18 with as much rotation as we did, is excellent.

In the league, we should be rotating more and we should be using our full squad which is much better than is getting credit for.

8 games a season against CL teams? And when do we play those? Does it happen on a Thursday with a Sunday league game? No.

We come back to the same argument.  Is rotating those 8 or so core players going to yield wins? Essentially that's what we're talking about here isn't it? It's no good rotating for the sake of rotating. We can swap a couple out, but we don't have a squad with enough quality to be able to compensate with, and have the same chances of winning.

[LFC when it suits]

8 games a season against CL teams? And when do we play those? Does it happen on a Thursday with a Sunday league game? No.

We come back to the same argument.  Is rotating those 8 or so core players going to yield wins? Essentially that's what we're talking about here isn't it? It's no good rotating for the sake of rotating. We can swap a couple out, but we don't have a squad with enough quality to be able to compensate with, and have the same chances of winning.

The way I see it is that Reina is a must. Agger and Skrtel are a must. Lucas is a must and Suarez is a must. I would also say that Johnson on either flank is a must. Aside from that everyone should be up for rotation, but it should be done in a smart way where only 2-4 changes are being made each premier league match at a maximum. 

The players that are a must can be rested rather than rotated. Everyone else should be up for rotation.

[murdell]

Rotation is important and it does my head in when ex pros from the 80s bang the drum of oh well shit in our day we had a 15 man squad and still got results, yea you fucking moron because all other teams had 15 man squads and were just as fucked as you! Back on topic, look at our bench were are the options for rotating? 3 defenders Cole and suso. Seems like Assaidi is going for hide and seek champion 2012. Money on he is.

[Nana]

I think that Sahin, Henderson, Coates and Assaidi are terribly underused.

[Fromola]

I've said for a while we're not rotating anywhere near enough. It's amateurish squad management more akin to Martin O'Neill whose teams annually burn out by March.

Gerrard playing every minute in the league is ludicrous added to all his European and international games. He needs to be rotated and rested. Allen looks fucked. Sterling looks fucked.

[benitezthered]

I've said for a while we're not rotating anywhere near enough. It's amateurish squad management more akin to Martin O'Neill whose teams annually burn out by March.

Gerrard playing every minute in the league is ludicrous added to all his European and international games. He needs to be rotated and rested. Allen looks fucked. Sterling looks fucked.

That. Loving the Martin O'Neil comparisons.

[rafathegaffa83]

We simply aren't using the squad enough. Our squad is much better than people think. We just aren't getting the best out of players. There is also no competition for places which must be really disheartening for players on the sidelines. The likes of Allen, Sterling and Gerrard will play regardless of their form whereas the likes of Henderson will play better than those who start, but will still stay on the bench. Players are keeping their place on the team due to reputation.

Our squad is great with the exception of thes striker department. We aren't getting the best out of it.

That is how I see it too. Without proper competition, some players will become jaded, while others will burn out physically and mentally.I think we put too much emphasis on the performances of 1 or 2 players to solve our problems, when we have a squad full of talented players who are infrequently used and when they do play are expected to perform miracles to avoid the wrath of the boo boys.

 

The team and manager in the PL who rotate the most are Man United under Ferguson and it seems to have worked

Definitely. United do not have any players who have started every league game this season. Even Van Persie, who has played seventeen games has come off the bench in two of them.

The short answer is - no ... and we'll pay for it in the second half of the season if it doesnt change

Exactly.

[Red number seven]

Steady.

Before you know it some fool will break ranks, suggest playing 3 at the back and marking zonally from corners and we'll be the laughng stock of the Ingerlish red tops.

Narr. Fuck this mental foreign rotation shite. 442, best team avaialable every week, players should be prepared to run through brick walls let alone play twice a week. In fact, while we're at it, let's bring back Roy.

[Hank Scorpio]

The way I see it is that Reina is a must. Agger and Skrtel are a must. Lucas is a must and Suarez is a must. I would also say that Johnson on either flank is a must. Aside from that everyone should be up for rotation, but it should be done in a smart way where only 2-4 changes are being made each premier league match at a maximum. 

The players that are a must can be rested rather than rotated. Everyone else should be up for rotation.

This has been a problem of ours for years.  People do not play on merit.  Players get way too comfortable because they know they will play.  They may not express it explicitly but it is there.  It leads to stagnation and it's what we've had for the last few years.

[Hazell]

Excellent OP and it's concerning for me as well. When we get into March/April we could seriously be feeling the effects of the lack of rotation. We don't have the strongest squad anyway and yes Kelly, Lucas and Borini have been out but we certainly could have made more use of the likes of Henderson, Assaidi and Coates as well as the younger players - Wisdom hasn't played for a while and Robinson has hardly got a look in. We've got game coming thick and fast now as well so I'd expect Rodgers to make use of the squad but if we settle back to how we have been, it may cost us towards the end of the season.

[Fromola]

Excellent OP and it's concerning for me as well. When we get into March/April we could seriously be feeling the effects of the lack of rotation. We don't have the strongest squad anyway and yes Kelly, Lucas and Borini have been out but we certainly could have made more use of the likes of Henderson, Assaidi and Coates as well as the younger players - Wisdom hasn't played for a while and Robinson has hardly got a look in. We've got game coming thick and fast now as well so I'd expect Rodgers to make use of the squad but if we settle back to how we have been, it may cost us towards the end of the season.

There's good reasons why Rafa's teams always came good in the run-in and towards the end of the season. It wasn't down to chance.

I fear for us once we get to March because we'll have players dead on their feet, but behind them we'll have a batch of players not match fit if they're needed (Sahin, Coates, Assaidi, Suso, Wisdom) barely used at all in the league for a while now. Whereas Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Gerrard, Suarez, Allen and Sterling all play 90 minutes in every league game. As would Lucas if he hadn't had the injury. The only rotated positions are the ones were we've had injuries (Lucas, Borini, Kelly).

[Fromola]

But I think there are others we need to give a break. There is no doubt Raheem is one who does need that breather. I've thought about it over the past couple of weeks. In order to do that you need to have that depth to take him out and put somebody else in.

Suso and Assaidi don't exist apparently.

[Hazell]

Hmm, a little strange, Assaidi, Suso and Downing can all play where Sterling does and Henderson can start in place of Allen, which is something we could and perhaps should have done already this season. Hopefully we'll see these changes over the busy Christmas period.

[Gnurglan]

Good summary that in the OP.

I think there are a few things that stand out.
First, the number of games handed to Sterling. It's way too many. Have said it for a while and I don't like it. It's actually quite poor by Rodgers when we have other options. Suso is being used better. He's given the kind of introduction I'd like to see us give Sterling. The real surprise is Assaidi. We trust Sterling to play more or less every game, but we don't trust him for a single start? That's our 3M signing, who could help protect perhaps the best prospect we've had for years. And he's not even used. Why is he here? Why didn't we sign a 3M backup striker?

The second thing is, as expected, our CM. It's a bit of a mess to have that many options. Yet Allen and Gerrard play all the time. Fair enough Lucas has been out. But Shelvey, Sahin and Henderson? Here we have options, but we don't use them. So why the collection of CMs? Why do we need them? Why did we even bother signing Sahin?

The third thing is at CB. Agger and Skrtel all the time. I'd like to see Coates being given more time. He needs games and we know Agger has had issues with injuries in the past. Now we celebrate how many games Agger has played, but we could ease things for him and give Coates much needed game time. To allow us to solve two problems in one. It's not as if we're air tight at the back anyway.

Overall, I think we could do a lot more around rotation and squad management. It's one thing to play Suarez every game, but when we have options, we don't have to run them into the ground before we try someone else.

[johnhouldinglfc]

Rodgers had no need for rotation at Swansea so its not that suprising that its an issue.

At least he has grasped that players get mentally tired on occasion, so hopefully it is something that he knows he has to improve.

Like others I would be very fearful that we will have a serious slump towards the end of the season, especially when you consider how many of our squad were in action during the summer (Euros, Olympics & other games) combined with how early the season with the Europa League qualifiers started (straight from the US trip) plus all the travelling involved in the Europa League already (two trips to the USSR already)

The lack of game-time for Pacheco and Robinson is frustrating especially when it is Cole and Downing who are preferred to them.

I'd love to see some stats on the number of substitutions he has made and the time the substitutions are made and how it compares to previous managers.

Don't get me started on the the idiots going on about "they're professionals, they should be able to play two games in a week no problem" 

[Fromola]

That. Loving the Martin O'Neil comparisons.

If you look at a Martin O'Neill team (certainly at Villa) the players beyond the first 11 are left demotivated and disillusioned and the players in the first 11 are left shattered by Feb/March. Worryingly some of ours are looking shattered already. This is what we're already in danger of doing now. The fact we've been in Europe has helped give the squad a game, but what if we'd gone out to Hearts? What if we're not in Europe next season?

Rodgers needs to realise it's a squad game and you have to look after the fitness of players both who are playing too much and aren't playing enough. Rodgers can whinge about the quality of the squad all he wants, but you're not going to get the best out of players like Allen, Gerrard and Sterling regardless when they're too fucked to put in a performance.

[johnhouldinglfc]

If you look at a Martin O'Neill team (certainly at Villa) the players beyond the first 11 are left demotivated and disillusioned and the players in the first 11 are left shattered by Feb/March. Worryingly some of ours are looking shattered already. This is what we're already in danger of doing now. The fact we've been in Europe has helped give the squad a game, but what if we'd gone out to Hearts? What if we're not in Europe next season?

Rodgers needs to realise it's a squad game and you have to look after the fitness of players both who are playing too much and aren't playing enough. Rodgers can whinge about the quality of the squad all he wants, but you're not going to get the best out of players like Allen, Gerrard and Sterling regardless when they're too fucked to put in a performance.

Was anyone suprised that Enrique had to have a fitness test at the weekend?

He has said in interviews that he had to take pain shots for certain games already this season and that he wasnt fully fit at the start of the season. Yet it seemed we were rushing him back into action.

Surely Robinson/Pacheco could have been used on occasion to reduce his number of minutes?

I can't help but feel that Lucas was rushed back as well as it's clear he's still not 100% fitness wise in games.

There's potentially 36 more games to play this season (21 league, 9 Europa, 6 FA Cup) excluding draws and extra-time and we've already played 29 (17 league, 10 Europa, 2 LEague Cup)

[Upinsmoke]

I think its Important he's acknowledged the fact some of the lads need a rest. It will only benefit us in the long run, especially with the younger lads.

[Fromola]

Was anyone suprised that Enrique had to have a fitness test at the weekend?

He has said in interviews that he had to take pain shots for certain games already this season and that he wasnt fully fit at the start of the season. Yet it seemed we were rushing him back into action.

Surely Robinson/Pacheco could have been used on occasion to reduce his number of minutes?

I can't help but feel that Lucas was rushed back as well as it's clear he's still not 100% fitness wise in games.

There's potentially 36 more games to play this season (21 league, 9 Europa, 6 FA Cup) excluding draws and extra-time and we've already played 29 (17 league, 10 Europa, 2 LEague Cup)

And we've already left ourselves short up front with the farce over Borini.

This "man up" mentality regarding injuries is old-school bollocks. As is the lack of rotation and rest. It's not the 80s anymore.

[fatlip13]

we are not rotating enough and gerrard, sterling and allen should have been dropped by now. is rodgers looking at this or is there other reasons. i don't know what reasons there could be but here is mine:
reina should not need rotated but has been through injury
defence: kelly and agger get injured. johnson, wisdom and enrique have been or are injured. the other players coates and robinson it seems are not ready or trusted. carragher is finished at the top level.
midfield: allen and gerrard play. lucas coming back, sahin has disapeared for some reason, henderson probably needs more time, shelvey is inconsistant brilliant 1 week and raw and not good enough the next.
attack: suarez and sterling. sterling needs a break. borini injured. suso i like and hope he is just getting a break. morgan not ready.

some of our injury prone players maybe affecting the chance to rest other players. our lack of depth is affecting who can get a rest. some players i just can't explain( cole and downing).

coates needs a chance. robinson needs to play here or somewhere else. wisdom will get time again.
sahin needs tested to see if he can stay fit in EPL conditions. gerrard needs to be eased out to make the others stand up and take responsibility. gerrard not done but won't last forever.
sterling needs a rest. we need forwards

i don't know what he see's with cole and downing

[rafathegaffa83]

I'd love to see some stats on the number of substitutions he has made and the time the substitutions are made and how it compares to previous managers.

I think Tomkins (might have been him) mentioned that we've made the fewest substitutions of any team in the league this season. We've also only had a forward on the bench three times this season in the league (Morgan against West Ham; Borini against Norwich and Stoke)

First, the number of games handed to Sterling. It's way too many. Have said it for a while and I don't like it. It's actually quite poor by Rodgers when we have other options. Suso is being used better. He's given the kind of introduction I'd like to see us give Sterling. The real surprise is Assaidi. We trust Sterling to play more or less every game, but we don't trust him for a single start? That's our 3M signing, who could help protect perhaps the best prospect we've had for years. And he's not even used. Why is he here? Why didn't we sign a 3M backup striker?

Completely agree. Perhaps Assaidi is injured, but surely given how Owen and Fowler were overplayed during their teenage years and both were past their peak before they were 30, it should give an idea of how important it is to carefully balance the playing time of younger lads.

The second thing is, as expected, our CM. It's a bit of a mess to have that many options. Yet Allen and Gerrard play all the time. Fair enough Lucas has been out. But Shelvey, Sahin and Henderson? Here we have options, but we don't use them. So why the collection of CMs? Why do we need them? Why did we even bother signing Sahin?

I like Rodgers, but his comments about not having anybody to fill-in for tired players like Sterling and Allen are ridiculous in my opinion. For me, our midfield is on paper stronger than it was last season. There is no need to playing Gerrard and Allen every game. Shelvey, Sahin, Suso and Henderson should be used a lot more and not simply just in a fashion of being selected for 4-6 games straight and then dropped for weeks on end.  It's a squad game and we aren't using our squad to its best effect.

Was anyone suprised that Enrique had to have a fitness test at the weekend?

He has said in interviews that he had to take pain shots for certain games already this season and that he wasnt fully fit at the start of the season. Yet it seemed we were rushing him back into action.

Surely Robinson could have been used on occasion to reduce his number of minutes?

I'm surprised he hasn't even had much of a look-in. Same with Coates. Worst case scenario, we could have placed Coates at CB and moved Agger to left-back or moved to a back-three with Downing as a wing-back.

I can't help but feel that Lucas was rushed back as well as it's clear he's still not 100% fitness wise in games.

Same here. He wasn't even eased in off the bench, but was thrown back into the mix, which could be a problem long-term.

Gerrard needs to be eased out to make the others stand up and take responsibility. gerrard not done but won't last forever.

I agree. I always remember I think it was Fabregas commenting that when Henry was still at Arsenal players would feel obliged to feed the ball to him, even if he wasn't the best option. Some of our younger midfielders need to be tested more and Steven needs to be better managed in terms of having breaks, considering his injury history and declining form.

[hesbighesred]

Sorry to be a grump but 3-0 up after 51 minutes today, against opposition that was by all accounts insipid yet Gerrard and Suarez remain on for the full 90, with a horrible away on boxing day and another away on the 30th. I'd say no, to be honest, but this is when it'll really tell.

That said I'm glad to see Sterling was benched, definitely a much needed rest for him, and great that Downing produced in his absence.

[rafathegaffa83]

Glad to see Allen and Sterling starting on the bench yesterday. But realistically, there was no need to bring them on at 3-0 up with the condensed fixture list. A run-out for someone like Sahin would have been more beneficial, as would giving Suarez and Gerrard an early rest.

[Fromola]

Sorry to be a grump but 3-0 up after 51 minutes today, against opposition that was by all accounts insipid yet Gerrard and Suarez remain on for the full 90, with a horrible away on boxing day and another away on the 30th. I'd say no, to be honest, but this is when it'll really tell.

That said I'm glad to see Sterling was benched, definitely a much needed rest for him, and great that Downing produced in his absence.

It worked well keeping Suarez on, in the end, because he got a goal and ended a goal drought from developing. Strikers thrive on goals, so no problems there.

Gerrard should have been subbed on the hour to a standing ovation and then put his feet up. I can see him playing 90 minutes in all the games over Christmas and we wouldn't have got a better change to rest him than the last half hour yesterday. Might as well have let Allen rest completely seeing as Sahin and Henderson were both on the bench. Same with Sterling, really.