http://liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/rodgers-i-ll-make-changesBrendan Rodgers admits he will have to make changes to his team for Wednesday's League Cup tie against his former club Swansea.
With the Reds preparing for their fourth fixture in 12 days when the Welsh club arrive at Anfield for the fourth-round clash, the Northern Irishman intends to utilise the depth in his squad - meaning a possible chance for the likes of Jordan Henderson.
"It's a culture that we're looking to create here - one team," the boss explained at his pre-match press briefing. "I said it on the first day I arrived, I'm going to rely on the whole squad. For us to compete in as many competitions as we can, we need everyone.
"They have an outstanding group of players who are very honest and work tirelessly, so it will be a difficult game for us. For us, it will be pretty much more of the same - we'll change the team around.
"Physically there is a big demand on the players, us competing in three competitions. So it's an opportunity for us to bring players into the squad who are working tirelessly every day but obviously they're fresh and fit and ready for the challenge.
"Of course everyone wants to play in the Barclays Premier League team but boys like Jordan - he's a wonderful talent and he's got a great future here. He might not be playing as much as he has done but his appetite, application and willingness to learn and improve has really been fantastic.
"So him and the other guys that are on the outside, of course they're not happy that they're not playing but their attitude and desire to work hard has been incredible. We're a very tight group and that's important.
"We're fighting on a lot of fronts at the moment. We're making progress going up the mountain, as they say. We're in a competition that the club won last year. For us it's an opportunity.
"The players as a group are very tight and the spirit is very strong, and this gives us an opportunity to ensure that those players can maintain their motivation by playing in important games for us. We have the [League Cup] trophy here and we don't want to give it up easy."
Australian 'keeper Brad Jones was between the posts in the previous round against West Brom and has grasped the opportunity offered to him by an injury to teammate Pepe Reina, starting each of the Reds' last three encounters.
Rodgers believes the 30-year-old presents an obvious example of how hard work can allow fringe players to earn a first-team berth.
He said: "I always judge it on its own merit. When I arrived in here, Pepe was the No.1 goalkeeper. His style, temperament and qualities are suited to how I want to work.
"But obviously when he's been out, Brad Jones has done very, very well."
Wednesday's opponents are no strangers to Rodgers, who was in charge of the Swans for two years before being appointed Liverpool manager during the summer.
The 39-year-old is looking forward to seeing some familiar faces but warned that former loyalties will be forgotten when the action gets underway. "I think it's one where you have two hats on," said Rodgers.
"The professional hat, first and foremost, says we want to get through to the quarter-finals. We have got an opportunity, playing at Anfield, which is a wonderful stadium, and a chance to progress in the competition. Nothing will get in the way of that - no sentiment gets in the way of wanting to progress to the next round.
"But it's also good to see people. I had some fantastic professional and personal experiences at Swansea City, and the support I got there was unheralded in terms of the city and the people and south Wales in general. Of course it's a result I always look out for because they're good people and I always want them to do well.
"But obviously we want to win the game. It's the professional challenge, it's our job to focus and concentrate."
Joe Allen could also cross swords with his former employers on Wednesday after switching the Liberty Stadium for Anfield during the close season, and Rodgers expects a warm reception for the midfielder from the visiting support.
The boss said: "I think he'll get a very good reception. He's a kid that has come through the system there, he gave everything to the club in his time.
"He didn't actually live in Swansea, he lived just outside, so he spent many years travelling into his work to train.
"He progressed into the first team, then left. Okay, the supporters are probably disappointed that he went but he has actually given them £15million plus a lot more in all his time there.
"I think the supporters will respect that. He's a wonderful talent and he was brilliant in my time there, the two years. I think they will react accordingly."
