Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers explains decision to drop Raheem Sterling
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers explains the reasoning behind his move to drop Raheem Sterling to the bench
Brendan Rodgers has explained his decision to drop Raheem Sterling to the bench for Liverpool’s clash against Aston Villa.
The Reds forward failed to make the starting line-up as Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers handed Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana their full debuts at Anfield.
Whether he is playing or on the bench, he’ll make a good impact for us
Brendan Rodgers
And Rodgers defended Sterling’s absence from the starting XI after the 19-year-old’s eye-catching performance while on England duty during the international break.
“We’ve got some very, very good players here and he has come off the back of two tough international games and working very hard,” Rodgers told Sky Sports.
“Obviously, I’ve got to plan for the games going forward so, as I said, he is a 19-year-old boy and he is a wonderful talent.
“Whether he is playing or on the bench, he’ll make a good impact for us.”
On Lallana and Markovic starting on Saturday evening, Rodgers added: “They’ll fit in, there’s no question about that.
“Both players have come from systems and philosophies that are similar in terms of the way we play.
“That was key for us.”
Liverpool haven’t beaten Aston Villa in their last two meetings at Anfield.




