Can Brendan Rodgers work the magic for Liverpool?

It has been a pretty good ride for Liverpool this season. They are second in the table and just 5 points away from the top. The days of scoring one goal and scampering out to a win are gone too. Only Arsenal & City have a better goal difference and Suarez seems to be scoring at will.

However, Liverpool play Tottenham, Cardiff, City, Chelsea & Hull within the next fortnight and it looks daunting, especially considering that The Reds are without Gerrard, Sturridge and Enrique. At least Jon Flanagan has proved to be a pretty good replacement for Enrique.

Critics have already started putting pressure on Rodgers for overworking players and the fans are murmuring inside. Asking a 33 year old to play almost every minute of the campaign is a heavy ask, but that’s how Rodgers uses his team. It means that he is either not confident with other members of the squad or he doesn’t mind stretching people to their maximum to land the top 4 spot to keep Suarez at Anfield – either way, it’s bad. But I think we can understand his fear – with a year left in his contract, missing the champions league spot and losing Suarez as well might mean a death knell for him.

Coming to the match against Spurs this weekend, it would be interesting to see who Rodgers will draft in if Jordan Hendersson, who is in a race against time, fails to make it. Considering Rodgers’ approach so far this season, the most likely formation is 4-2-3-1 with Lucas & Allen playing just in front of defense and Moses, Coutinho & Sterling playing in the offensive field.

Actually, a lot of people in the squad will be licking their lips for some good play time, especially Joe Allen. Though Allen missed an absolute sitter against Everton, he has been in some good form in the past two matches. It’s time for Allen to step up and repay the faith Rodgers placed in him by shelling out £15 million pounds last year.

At the same time, it’s extremely vital that Rodgers gives proper game time to them and maintains a healthy squad for injuries like these are bound to happen and especially with an European campaign looming across for next year, he must have good squad depth. (I believe, at least a spot in Europa League is assured for Liverpool).

Rodgers has to use all of his acumen and tactical brilliance to navigate Liverpool through the holiday fixtures. If he does it, I believe there is no turning back.