Rodgers hints at resting Gerrard against Real
Liverpool could face Real Madrid without Steven Gerrard after Brendan Rodgers dropped a hint that he could rest his skipper for the Champions League tie.
The English Premier League side take on the defending champions of Europe at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday morning (Singapore time), lying in third place in Group B with three points - the same as their rivals Ludogorets and Basel.
While his team could do with a win over leaders Real to boost their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages, Rodgers is keeping a weary eye on their domestic duties with the Reds set to host Chelsea on Saturday after a hectic spell of three games across eight days.
Priority
Such a fixture pile-up is giving the Liverpool manager cause to give 34-year-old Gerrard a break to keep him fresh for the visit of the EPL leaders.
Rodgers said: "This week and these games against the likes of Real Madrid I see as a great opportunity for the squad - you put them out there and you put your trust in them to perform.
"In Steven's case, if he is playing on Saturday I have to look at what is the priority for him and us. If he played against Newcastle and didn't play (against Real) you could say that was the priority.
"Him and I have spoken about that. Three big games, Newcastle, Madrid and then Chelsea. I need to look at a number of players to look at the games we want them to play in."
Source: PA Sport
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