Rotation, rotation, rotation. If it was a television programme, it would be firmly be featured on the Wednesday 10pm slot on Channel 4 – a sordid documentary of disgruntled reserves, tinkered tactics and youth players destined for Yeovil Town.
Rotation has become a dirty word in football, synonymous with the very competition Liverpool FC are intent on winning – the League Cup. It is seen as a chance to give squad players a game at best, a major inconvenience at worst.
In the pre-Swansea press conference, assistant boss Colin Pascoe admitted the Reds could rotate against the Welsh side. “Of course, that’s what the squad is there for - you use the squad and rotate a few players,” he said.
But Liverpool spent over £100m this summer to strengthen the squad. It means changes against Swansea won’t damage their chances of progressing to the quarter finals.
It means rotation really is rotation, and not simply resting the most important players.
Those expected to come in include vice captain Jordan Henderson, £20m man Lazar Markovic and Philippe Coutinho.
Pascoe also hinted at using Jordan Rossiter, the Reds’ next great midfield hope, and Jordan Williams, the 18-year-old who had the confidence of taking and scoring a penalty at the Kop end against Middlesbrough.
Henderson, Coutinho and Markovic could have easily started against Hull on Saturday; they could easily start against Newcastle, too.
With the squad available, Brendan Rodgers does not simply have to choose two teams – one to win Premier League and Champions League matches, and one to win in the domestic cup competitions.
Instead, he has a squad capable of doing both – in theory. Tuesday night will test that.
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