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Brendan Rodgers says lifting the FA Cup this season would represent another step forward for his Liverpool team.
The Reds face Championship side Blackburn at Ewood Park in a quarter-final replay on Wednesday, with Aston Villa awaiting the winners in the last four.
And Liverpool go into the game in the midst of a mini-crisis, a 2-1 home loss to Manchester United having been followed by Saturday’s 4-1 thrashing at Arsenal.
Having almost won the title last season, the Reds look unlikely to even reach the top four this term, but Rodgers thinks Cup glory would salvage the campaign.
"It's important to have a game quickly when you lose," he said.
"The group is very committed to winning this trophy but, in order to do that you have to qualify, and we know Blackburn will be a difficult game for us.
"A trophy this season will mark another step forward for us. Getting to a final and winning a trophy is what we want.
"In terms of the FA Cup, that was always an objective.
"On Wednesday we'll look to reach our second semi-final of the season in the cup competitions (having been narrowly beaten by Chelsea over two legs in the last four of the Capital One Cup)."
“Blackburn have got some excellent players. They defended well when they came to Anfield (in the original tie, which finished 0-0).
"We'll go there really focused and determined. We can't wait to play again after the weekend's disappointment.”
The Reds went on a 13-match unbeaten Premier League run from mid-December but it has been suggested that recent results indicate that teams have worked out to cope with Rodgers’ preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.
But the manager thinks it is a more a case of a dip in form from his side, who have not been creating as many scoring opportunities as they managed during the unbeaten run.
"I don't think it's about being worked out,” he said. “We didn't start well (on Saturday), and it doesn't matter what system you are playing if that happens.
"In the last four games we haven't created as much, and that's more on ourselves.
"Of course you give opponents credit but every team will go into a game to defend well and work hard against you.
"Probably the Blackburn game when we drew 0-0 and the games following that we haven't created as much.
"That's something that we want to reinforce, the creativity for chances and hopefully taking those chances.
"It's a difficult system to play against, but it's one of a number of systems we've played here and played very well.
"It's my job to always look to find the solutions, that's what I've tried to do in the games when we didn't look like scoring."
Brendan Rodgers says lifting the FA Cup this season would represent another step forward for his Liverpool team.
The Reds face Championship side Blackburn at Ewood Park in a quarter-final replay on Wednesday, with Aston Villa awaiting the winners in the last four.
And Liverpool go into the game in the midst of a mini-crisis, a 2-1 home loss to Manchester United having been followed by Saturday’s 4-1 thrashing at Arsenal.
Having almost won the title last season, the Reds look unlikely to even reach the top four this term, but Rodgers thinks Cup glory would salvage the campaign.
"It's important to have a game quickly when you lose," he said.
"The group is very committed to winning this trophy but, in order to do that you have to qualify, and we know Blackburn will be a difficult game for us.
"A trophy this season will mark another step forward for us. Getting to a final and winning a trophy is what we want.
"In terms of the FA Cup, that was always an objective.
"On Wednesday we'll look to reach our second semi-final of the season in the cup competitions (having been narrowly beaten by Chelsea over two legs in the last four of the Capital One Cup)."
“Blackburn have got some excellent players. They defended well when they came to Anfield (in the original tie, which finished 0-0).
"We'll go there really focused and determined. We can't wait to play again after the weekend's disappointment.”
The Reds went on a 13-match unbeaten Premier League run from mid-December but it has been suggested that recent results indicate that teams have worked out to cope with Rodgers’ preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.
But the manager thinks it is a more a case of a dip in form from his side, who have not been creating as many scoring opportunities as they managed during the unbeaten run.
"I don't think it's about being worked out,” he said. “We didn't start well (on Saturday), and it doesn't matter what system you are playing if that happens.
"In the last four games we haven't created as much, and that's more on ourselves.
"Of course you give opponents credit but every team will go into a game to defend well and work hard against you.
"Probably the Blackburn game when we drew 0-0 and the games following that we haven't created as much.
"That's something that we want to reinforce, the creativity for chances and hopefully taking those chances.
"It's a difficult system to play against, but it's one of a number of systems we've played here and played very well.
"It's my job to always look to find the solutions, that's what I've tried to do in the games when we didn't look like scoring."
Blackburn Rovers manager Gary Bowyer believes it is “ridiculous” his Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers is entertaining questions about a possible crisis at Anfield ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final replay.
On Monday, Rodgers then denied rumours of dressing-room unrest in the wake of Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Arsenal, while the lingering contract saga surrounding forward Raheem Sterling has only added to the gloom around the club.
However, Bowyer insists the side he thinks were the best in the country only a few weeks ago have not gone into meltdown overnight.
“I think it’s ridiculous that after losing two games, the team that was hailed prior to those two games as being the best in the Premier League – which they were at the time with the football they were playing – then comes in for that,” he said.
“Brendan Rodgers has done an unbelievable job, he doesn’t need me telling him. But that’s just the world we live in now – it’s crazy.”
The Rovers boss could be forgiven for bemoaning a crisis himself after seeing his numbers seriously depleted by injuries and competition regulations.
As many as 14 players could be missing for the Sky Bet Championship team, with four ineligible to play and 10 carrying injury concerns.
Bowyer is unhappy that former Barnsley loanee John O’Sullivan is barred from featuring because he was away on loan with the League One club when Blackburn drew 0-0 with Liverpool at Anfield in their first clash.
Although O’Sullivan is now back in Blackburn’s squad and featured in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Leeds as a substitute, Bowyer cannot pick him because he was not registered with his parent club when the initial fixture with Liverpool took place.
Bowyer’s hands have been tied behind his back already somewhat by the Football League-imposed transfer embargo the club have been under since December and he stressed knocking out Liverpool would be even more impressive given how stretched his resources are.
“We haven’t been able to bring in enough players to help us through the time that we had prior to the international break where we played 13 games in 43 days,” he added.
“We can’t even play one of our own players that we sent out on loan before the game, who has now come back with us and who played for us on Saturday in the league – yet he can’t play for us tomorrow night.
“For me, that doesn’t make sense. It’s another challenge, another player less. It would be a massive achievement for us to pull it off. But we’re aware of what lies ahead and the quality that’s in front of us.”
Of the 10 players carrying injuries, goalkeeper Simon Eastwood (knock) should be fine but Jason Lowe (foot), Shane Duffy (knee) and Chris Taylor (groin) have definitely been ruled out.
Captain Grant Hanley and David Dunn (both calf) plus Josh King, Craig Conway, Rudy Gestede and Chris Brown (all hamstring) are doubtful.
PA
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Blackburn Rovers manager Gary Bowyer believes it is “ridiculous” his Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers is entertaining questions about a possible crisis at Anfield ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final replay.
On Monday, Rodgers then denied rumours of dressing-room unrest in the wake of Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Arsenal, while the lingering contract saga surrounding forward Raheem Sterling has only added to the gloom around the club.
However, Bowyer insists the side he thinks were the best in the country only a few weeks ago have not gone into meltdown overnight.
“I think it’s ridiculous that after losing two games, the team that was hailed prior to those two games as being the best in the Premier League – which they were at the time with the football they were playing – then comes in for that,” he said.
“Brendan Rodgers has done an unbelievable job, he doesn’t need me telling him. But that’s just the world we live in now – it’s crazy.”
The Rovers boss could be forgiven for bemoaning a crisis himself after seeing his numbers seriously depleted by injuries and competition regulations.
As many as 14 players could be missing for the Sky Bet Championship team, with four ineligible to play and 10 carrying injury concerns.
Bowyer is unhappy that former Barnsley loanee John O’Sullivan is barred from featuring because he was away on loan with the League One club when Blackburn drew 0-0 with Liverpool at Anfield in their first clash.
Although O’Sullivan is now back in Blackburn’s squad and featured in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Leeds as a substitute, Bowyer cannot pick him because he was not registered with his parent club when the initial fixture with Liverpool took place.
Bowyer’s hands have been tied behind his back already somewhat by the Football League-imposed transfer embargo the club have been under since December and he stressed knocking out Liverpool would be even more impressive given how stretched his resources are.
“We haven’t been able to bring in enough players to help us through the time that we had prior to the international break where we played 13 games in 43 days,” he added.
“We can’t even play one of our own players that we sent out on loan before the game, who has now come back with us and who played for us on Saturday in the league – yet he can’t play for us tomorrow night.
“For me, that doesn’t make sense. It’s another challenge, another player less. It would be a massive achievement for us to pull it off. But we’re aware of what lies ahead and the quality that’s in front of us.”
Of the 10 players carrying injuries, goalkeeper Simon Eastwood (knock) should be fine but Jason Lowe (foot), Shane Duffy (knee) and Chris Taylor (groin) have definitely been ruled out.
Captain Grant Hanley and David Dunn (both calf) plus Josh King, Craig Conway, Rudy Gestede and Chris Brown (all hamstring) are doubtful.
PA
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes recent defeats are down to his players’ own failings rather than the opposition having cracked their system.
But despite receiving plaudits for the quality of their football, which at times appeared to be unplayable, flaws started to appear a month ago when they were held to a goalless draw by Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn in the FA Cup.
After scraping a win against Swansea they were then exposed by Manchester United and Arsenal, two teams already in the top four.
However, Rodgers insists a drop-off in results is more to do with their own performances than those of their opponents.
“I don’t think it’s about being worked out. We didn’t start well (against Arsenal), and it doesn’t matter what system you are playing if that happens,” he said.
“In the last four games that we’ve played we haven’t created as much, and that’s more on ourselves.
“Of course you give opponents credit but every team will go into a game to defend well and work hard against you.
“Probably the Blackburn game when we drew 0-0 and the games following that we haven’t created as much. That’s something that we want to reinforce – the creativity for chances and hopefully taking those chances.
“It’s a difficult system to play against, but it’s one of a number of systems we’ve played here and played very well.
“It’s my job to always look to find the solutions, that’s what I’ve tried to do in the games when we didn’t look like scoring, finding a way to win.”
Blackburn, who host Liverpool in their FA Cup quarter-final replay on Wednesday, will take heart from the Merseysiders’ mini-slump at a crucial time of the season.
For Rodgers and Liverpool though the cup now represents the only chance to save their season and that should guarantee a reaction at Ewood Park.
“It’s important to have a game quickly when you lose,” added Rodgers.
“The group is very committed to winning this trophy but in order to do that you have to qualify and we know Blackburn will be a difficult game for us.
“A trophy this season will mark another step forward for us. Getting to a final and winning a trophy is what we want.
“In terms of the FA Cup that was always an objective.
“On Wednesday, we’ll look to reach our second semi-final of the season in the cup competitions (having been narrowly beaten by Chelsea over two legs).”
With the play-offs out of reach for Rovers they will also be putting all their efforts into trying to reach a Wembley last-four encounter with Aston Villa.
They showed enough on Merseyside a month ago to suggest they can trouble the Reds and, having dispatched top-flight sides Swansea and Stoke at Ewood Park, they will have no fear of Liverpool’s arrival.
“Blackburn have got some excellent players. They defended well when they came to Anfield,” said Rodgers.
“We’ll go there really focused and determined – we can’t wait to play again after the weekend’s disappointment.”
PA
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes recent defeats are down to his players’ own failings rather than the opposition having cracked their system.
But despite receiving plaudits for the quality of their football, which at times appeared to be unplayable, flaws started to appear a month ago when they were held to a goalless draw by Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn in the FA Cup.
After scraping a win against Swansea they were then exposed by Manchester United and Arsenal, two teams already in the top four.
However, Rodgers insists a drop-off in results is more to do with their own performances than those of their opponents.
“I don’t think it’s about being worked out. We didn’t start well (against Arsenal), and it doesn’t matter what system you are playing if that happens,” he said.
“In the last four games that we’ve played we haven’t created as much, and that’s more on ourselves.
“Of course you give opponents credit but every team will go into a game to defend well and work hard against you.
“Probably the Blackburn game when we drew 0-0 and the games following that we haven’t created as much. That’s something that we want to reinforce – the creativity for chances and hopefully taking those chances.
“It’s a difficult system to play against, but it’s one of a number of systems we’ve played here and played very well.
“It’s my job to always look to find the solutions, that’s what I’ve tried to do in the games when we didn’t look like scoring, finding a way to win.”
Blackburn, who host Liverpool in their FA Cup quarter-final replay on Wednesday, will take heart from the Merseysiders’ mini-slump at a crucial time of the season.
For Rodgers and Liverpool though the cup now represents the only chance to save their season and that should guarantee a reaction at Ewood Park.
“It’s important to have a game quickly when you lose,” added Rodgers.
“The group is very committed to winning this trophy but in order to do that you have to qualify and we know Blackburn will be a difficult game for us.
“A trophy this season will mark another step forward for us. Getting to a final and winning a trophy is what we want.
“In terms of the FA Cup that was always an objective.
“On Wednesday, we’ll look to reach our second semi-final of the season in the cup competitions (having been narrowly beaten by Chelsea over two legs).”
With the play-offs out of reach for Rovers they will also be putting all their efforts into trying to reach a Wembley last-four encounter with Aston Villa.
They showed enough on Merseyside a month ago to suggest they can trouble the Reds and, having dispatched top-flight sides Swansea and Stoke at Ewood Park, they will have no fear of Liverpool’s arrival.
“Blackburn have got some excellent players. They defended well when they came to Anfield,” said Rodgers.
“We’ll go there really focused and determined – we can’t wait to play again after the weekend’s disappointment.”
PA
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Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer believes it is "ridiculous" his Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers is entertaining questions about a possible crisis at Anfield ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final replay.
The Reds head to Ewood Park on Wednesday night looking to salvage their season after their 13-game Barclays Premier League unbeaten streak was ended by successive defeats which have virtually scuppered their top-four hopes.
On Monday, Rodgers then denied rumours of dressing-room unrest in the wake of Saturday's 4-1 loss to Arsenal, while the lingering contract saga surrounding forward Raheem Sterling has only added to the gloom around the club.
However, Bowyer insists the side he thinks were the best in the country only a few weeks ago have not gone into meltdown overnight.
"I think it's ridiculous that after losing two games, the team that was hailed prior to those two games as being the best in the Premier League - which they were at the time with the football they were playing - then comes in for that," he said.
"Brendan Rodgers has done an unbelievable job, he doesn't need me telling him. But that's just the world we live in now - it's crazy."
The Rovers boss could be forgiven for bemoaning a crisis himself after seeing his numbers seriously depleted by injuries and competition regulations.
As many as 14 players could be missing for the Sky Bet Championship team, with four ineligible to play and 10 carrying injury concerns.
Bowyer is unhappy that former Barnsley loanee John O'Sullivan is barred from featuring because he was away on loan with the League One club when Blackburn drew 0-0 with Liverpool at Anfield in their first clash.
Although O'Sullivan is now back in Blackburn's squad and featured in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Leeds as a substitute, Bowyer cannot pick him because he was not registered with his parent club when the initial fixture with Liverpool took place.
Bowyer's hands have been tied behind his back already somewhat by the Football League-imposed transfer embargo the club have been under since December and he stressed knocking out Liverpool would be even more impressive given how stretched his resources are.
"We haven't been able to bring in enough players to help us through the time that we had prior to the international break where we played 13 games in 43 days," he added.
"We can't even play one of our own players that we sent out on loan before the game, who has now come back with us and who played for us on Saturday in the league - yet he can't play for us tomorrow night.
"For me, that doesn't make sense. It's another challenge, another player less. It would be a massive achievement for us to pull it off. But we're aware of what lies ahead and the quality that's in front of us."
Of the 10 players carrying injuries, goalkeeper Simon Eastwood (knock) should be fine but Jason Lowe (foot), Shane Duffy (knee) and Chris Taylor (groin) have definitely been ruled out. Captain Grant Hanley and David Dunn (both calf) plus Josh King, Craig Conway, Rudy Gestede and Chris Brown (all hamstring) are doubtful.
Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer believes it is "ridiculous" his Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers is entertaining questions about a possible crisis at Anfield ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final replay.
The Reds head to Ewood Park on Wednesday night looking to salvage their season after their 13-game Barclays Premier League unbeaten streak was ended by successive defeats which have virtually scuppered their top-four hopes.
On Monday, Rodgers then denied rumours of dressing-room unrest in the wake of Saturday's 4-1 loss to Arsenal, while the lingering contract saga surrounding forward Raheem Sterling has only added to the gloom around the club.
However, Bowyer insists the side he thinks were the best in the country only a few weeks ago have not gone into meltdown overnight.
"I think it's ridiculous that after losing two games, the team that was hailed prior to those two games as being the best in the Premier League - which they were at the time with the football they were playing - then comes in for that," he said.
"Brendan Rodgers has done an unbelievable job, he doesn't need me telling him. But that's just the world we live in now - it's crazy."
The Rovers boss could be forgiven for bemoaning a crisis himself after seeing his numbers seriously depleted by injuries and competition regulations.
As many as 14 players could be missing for the Sky Bet Championship team, with four ineligible to play and 10 carrying injury concerns.
Bowyer is unhappy that former Barnsley loanee John O'Sullivan is barred from featuring because he was away on loan with the League One club when Blackburn drew 0-0 with Liverpool at Anfield in their first clash.
Although O'Sullivan is now back in Blackburn's squad and featured in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Leeds as a substitute, Bowyer cannot pick him because he was not registered with his parent club when the initial fixture with Liverpool took place.
Bowyer's hands have been tied behind his back already somewhat by the Football League-imposed transfer embargo the club have been under since December and he stressed knocking out Liverpool would be even more impressive given how stretched his resources are.
"We haven't been able to bring in enough players to help us through the time that we had prior to the international break where we played 13 games in 43 days," he added.
"We can't even play one of our own players that we sent out on loan before the game, who has now come back with us and who played for us on Saturday in the league - yet he can't play for us tomorrow night.
"For me, that doesn't make sense. It's another challenge, another player less. It would be a massive achievement for us to pull it off. But we're aware of what lies ahead and the quality that's in front of us."
Of the 10 players carrying injuries, goalkeeper Simon Eastwood (knock) should be fine but Jason Lowe (foot), Shane Duffy (knee) and Chris Taylor (groin) have definitely been ruled out. Captain Grant Hanley and David Dunn (both calf) plus Josh King, Craig Conway, Rudy Gestede and Chris Brown (all hamstring) are doubtful.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers concedes his players have been off the pace this season as the team struggles to secure a top-four finish.
The Reds are currently seven points off the Champions League places, with an inferior goal difference to the teams above them.
Having scored 45 goals in 31 Premier League games this season, Rodgers acknowledges Liverpool have to improve their attacking play.
And the former Reading boss feels his side have come up short in recent defeats to Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as the win at Swansea.
"We are still trying to find solutions at the top end of the field," Rodgers said on the club’s official website.
"When everyone is fit and available we are able to compete with this squad, but our top goalscorer is on six goals. Three players on six goals. That's the reality of where we are at, and we have to find solutions for that.
"It's about finding what suits the players. We have obviously got a number of players out now and when we changed the system it suited them. We are always looking to find a way."
Rodgers was concerned at the lack of confidence in front of goal during the weekend defeat to Arsenal, and he also feels the team struggled to create when United visited Anfield in the previous game.
"If you look at the game the other day, we created important opportunities at the beginning of the game, but you have to take them. As a whole, I think in terms of the efforts on our opponent's goal, we need to increase that level,” he said.
"Our possession just hasn't been good enough, that has been the key to it. We have to build the game quickly, but the ball has been so slow.
"It wasn't just these two games. It was the Swansea game in the first half as well. The speed of our game hasn't quite been there, the speed of our passing.
"When we play the game quickly, that allows us to get into position. And the key for us is that when you're in position you can press better as well because if the ball breaks down you're there.
"Against United we were only in half positions, we were trying to build the game, get into position but we gave the ball away and there was too much space.
"In the Arsenal game we didn't start well, got back into it but then defended poorly. I don't think it was anything to do with the system, whatever system we were playing, we just didn't pass the ball quick enough."
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers concedes his players have been off the pace this season as the team struggles to secure a top-four finish.
The Reds are currently seven points off the Champions League places, with an inferior goal difference to the teams above them.
Having scored 45 goals in 31 Premier League games this season, Rodgers acknowledges Liverpool have to improve their attacking play.
And the former Reading boss feels his side have come up short in recent defeats to Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as the win at Swansea.
"We are still trying to find solutions at the top end of the field," Rodgers said on the club’s official website.
"When everyone is fit and available we are able to compete with this squad, but our top goalscorer is on six goals. Three players on six goals. That's the reality of where we are at, and we have to find solutions for that.
"It's about finding what suits the players. We have obviously got a number of players out now and when we changed the system it suited them. We are always looking to find a way."
Rodgers was concerned at the lack of confidence in front of goal during the weekend defeat to Arsenal, and he also feels the team struggled to create when United visited Anfield in the previous game.
"If you look at the game the other day, we created important opportunities at the beginning of the game, but you have to take them. As a whole, I think in terms of the efforts on our opponent's goal, we need to increase that level,” he said.
"Our possession just hasn't been good enough, that has been the key to it. We have to build the game quickly, but the ball has been so slow.
"It wasn't just these two games. It was the Swansea game in the first half as well. The speed of our game hasn't quite been there, the speed of our passing.
"When we play the game quickly, that allows us to get into position. And the key for us is that when you're in position you can press better as well because if the ball breaks down you're there.
"Against United we were only in half positions, we were trying to build the game, get into position but we gave the ball away and there was too much space.
"In the Arsenal game we didn't start well, got back into it but then defended poorly. I don't think it was anything to do with the system, whatever system we were playing, we just didn't pass the ball quick enough."
Brendan Rodgers has hinted at why he selected Kolo Toure over £20 million man Dejan Lovren for Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Arsenal.
“The thing with Kolo is he gives me everything every single day so I know what I am going to get with him,” Rodgers claimed.
However, this commitment failed to stabilise Toure’s performance at the Emirates Stadium, with his consistently weak possession play and poor positioning damaging Liverpool’s progress from the back.
“Dejan was someone who was out over the international break, now he is fighting well and looking strong.
“He will be in contention for the cup game for sure.”
With Martin Skrtel and Emre Can both suspended for Wednesday night’s FA Cup quarter-final replay clash with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, Lovren is likely to return to Rodgers’ back line, with Toure and Mamadou Sakho the only other centre-backs available.
A defensive trio of Lovren, Toure and Sakho is one that looks surprisingly thin, especially given the significant outlay Rodgers sanctioned for the signing of Lovren.
In relation to Lovren’s first-season struggles, however, Rodgers offered a patient approach.
“You bring players in with all the intentions of them doing well. What you cannot vouch for is when you come into a club of this size how long that adaptation process is going to take. You’ve seen that over many years at this club.
“You can be a very good player and not hit it off for some reason or it just takes time, like Lucas Leiva.
“These players need time and you don’t get that in modern football.”
However, the manager rounded off with what may well be a hint as to his frustration with the slow embedding process of the likes of Lovren, and conceded that Liverpool’s summer transfer business was not a round success.
“In the transfer market there are always going to be some players that work for you and some that don’t, and it’s about getting the balance shifted towards the positive.
“We had a big influx of players last summer so it was always going to be difficult for them all to hit it off straight away but I think you can see the progress that has been made.”
Lovren has so far made 20 appearances for Liverpool in the Premier League, with 16 coming as a starter.
However, the 25-year-old has featured just six times since Rodgers turned to a back-three defensive system in December’s 3-0 loss away to Manchester United, regularly kicking his heels on the bench.
Should Kolo Toure continue to be above Dejan Lovren in the Liverpool defensive pecking order? Let us know in the comments below.
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Brendan Rodgers has hinted at why he selected Kolo Toure over £20 million man Dejan Lovren for Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Arsenal.
“The thing with Kolo is he gives me everything every single day so I know what I am going to get with him,” Rodgers claimed.
However, this commitment failed to stabilise Toure’s performance at the Emirates Stadium, with his consistently weak possession play and poor positioning damaging Liverpool’s progress from the back.
“Dejan was someone who was out over the international break, now he is fighting well and looking strong.
“He will be in contention for the cup game for sure.”
With Martin Skrtel and Emre Can both suspended for Wednesday night’s FA Cup quarter-final replay clash with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, Lovren is likely to return to Rodgers’ back line, with Toure and Mamadou Sakho the only other centre-backs available.
A defensive trio of Lovren, Toure and Sakho is one that looks surprisingly thin, especially given the significant outlay Rodgers sanctioned for the signing of Lovren.
In relation to Lovren’s first-season struggles, however, Rodgers offered a patient approach.
“You bring players in with all the intentions of them doing well. What you cannot vouch for is when you come into a club of this size how long that adaptation process is going to take. You’ve seen that over many years at this club.
“You can be a very good player and not hit it off for some reason or it just takes time, like Lucas Leiva.
“These players need time and you don’t get that in modern football.”
However, the manager rounded off with what may well be a hint as to his frustration with the slow embedding process of the likes of Lovren, and conceded that Liverpool’s summer transfer business was not a round success.
“In the transfer market there are always going to be some players that work for you and some that don’t, and it’s about getting the balance shifted towards the positive.
“We had a big influx of players last summer so it was always going to be difficult for them all to hit it off straight away but I think you can see the progress that has been made.”
Lovren has so far made 20 appearances for Liverpool in the Premier League, with 16 coming as a starter.
However, the 25-year-old has featured just six times since Rodgers turned to a back-three defensive system in December’s 3-0 loss away to Manchester United, regularly kicking his heels on the bench.
Should Kolo Toure continue to be above Dejan Lovren in the Liverpool defensive pecking order? Let us know in the comments below.
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