Brendan: We're primed for busy run
Brendan Rodgers believes his squad are in prime physical condition to kick off a busy month of football in three competitions as they take on Bolton Wanderers this Wednesday.
Following a goalless draw at Anfield when Liverpool hosted the Championship outfit in their FA Cup fourth round contest, they meet in a replay for the right to then meet Crystal Palace.
Just three days later, there is the small matter of the Merseyside derby. And beyond, league clashes with Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton, plus a Europa League tie against Besiktas.
Rodgers said: "When you have so many games, you have to plan forward. But I always believe the next game is very important and I'll always pick a team that I think can win the game.
"It will be a tough game for us, we saw that at Anfield. We've got a big month coming up in February, and we want to continue in the cup competitions as well as keep the momentum going in the league.
"We've got a good squad of players that I trust and believe in. Where I need to change and rotate, I'll do that. But the objective is still the same - to get three points or get through into the next round.
"I expect another very tough game. After our game, their results maybe haven't been quite what Neil [Lennon] would have liked. But I enjoy going there.
"The pitch is beautiful whatever time of the year you go. That will be good for us as it's a really good surface. But we expect a tough game and the objective for us is to get through to the next round."
Asked how the players are enjoying the demands of navigating three fixtures practically every week, the Northern Irishman added: "It means that we're in competitions and doing well.
"The players are in really good physical condition, that's important to understand. You have seen what they put into the game against West Ham on the back of 120 minutes [at Chelsea].
"We had real aggression in our pressing and good intensity in the game against a very difficult team. We had a comprehensive win at the weekend, with over 20 attempts on goal and nearly 70 per cent possession.
"It shows what level the team is at physically and we'll look to be the same in the Bolton game. All these games are important. The players are in really good physical condition for these, and it's what they want - they want to play games."