Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he could drop captain Steven Gerrard for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
Rodgers has told reporters that the Premier League is his number one priority this season and will consider resting the former England international ahead of the weekend fixture against Chelsea.
Gerrard’s contract expires at the end of the current season and Rodgers has said that risking him against Real Madrid could have consequences going into the game against the league leaders.
“I don’t see it as a gamble,” he told reporters. “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.
“In Steven’s case, if he is playing on Saturday I have to look at what is the priority for him and us. If he played against Newcastle and didn’t play tomorrow night you could say that was the priority.
“Him and I have spoken about that. Three big games, Newcastle, Madrid and then Chelsea. I need to look at a number of players to look at the games we want them to play in.
“But I have also got to look at [the fact] we brought in other players. And there is responsibility. But there is no doubt that our priorities are the Premier League and the Champions League, and always in that order.”