Brendan Rodgers believes Raheem Sterling can be an additional option in a more central attacking position after the 19-year-old was moved into the middle for the second half of Wednesday evening's defeat by Real Madrid.

The Reds started the Champions League tie with the No.31 and Philippe Coutinho primarily providing the support to Mario Balotelli, although with the scoreline 3-0 in the visitors' favour at the interval, the manager opted for a tactical switch.

Sterling was transferred into a line-leading position, with Adam Lallana introduced to supplement their forays forward in a challenging and ultimately futile attempt to salvage something from the meeting with the competition's holders.

At his press conference to preview Saturday's home encounter against Hull City in the Barclays Premier League, Rodgers was asked if the forward could be used similarly in the future and reported that should circumstances require, he could.

Watch the video here »

"It was just something that I felt could help us in the game, his mobility and speed along the line is there whether he plays from the side or the front role," the Northern Irishman explained.

"He's a very talented young player and has played as a striker as a youngster, so he understands the position well. If we feel it helps the team in order to get results then it's something that I can look at.

"I felt it was something that could help us at half-time and it was a purely tactical decision. It's something that I can consider in the future."

Summer signing Rickie Lambert remained on the substitutes' bench throughout the 90 minutes of the Real fixture, denying the striker another chance to grab his much-craved first goal for the club since a switch from Southampton.

But Rodgers today took the opportunity to reiterate his pleasure with the duties the 32-year-old is fulfilling, both in training on a daily basis and in matches, that were outlined upon his arrival earlier this year.

The boss said: "Rickie has always been very clear of his position and what the expectancy is. Rickie knew he was going to get games - he wasn't going to be a starter but there were going to be times when the team would need him.

"That's how it has panned out for him. He's a great guy and he recognises the role that he had to come in and play. He is playing that role in training every day. When he gets opportunities in games, he'll look to impress.

"Obviously he wants to score that first goal for the club, but he has been absolutely no problem at all. Last night we needed something tactically different in the game, which was about speed and mobility, and that was why we put Raheem through the middle.

"Rickie's role is an important role for us. It might not always seem that way because he doesn't play so much, but he has been working outstandingly well every day. He's there when required and if he's called upon, he always gives 100 per cent to what we're trying to achieve."