By David Bradford
There can be no looking at tonight’s Capital One Cup quarter-final against Championship leaders Bournemouth as a walk in the park after having seen Southampton go out to League One team Sheffield United last night at Bramall Lane.
Bournemouth is unbeaten in 12 games and flying high after having put five goals past Cardiff City last weekend with former Anfield midfielder Ray Houghton insisting Rodgers field the strongest possible team.
“There have to be nerves,” he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. “Liverpool have to tighten up. First and foremost you have to be hard to play against, so they have to make sure that defensively everyone is working for each other. Too many are working as individuals and that comes down to a lack of confidence.
“It will be tough for them, and Brendan [Rodgers] has to put out a strong team. If Brendan loses this games and then loses to Arsenal on Saturday it will heap more pressure on him.
“It will be a real test for Liverpool to see how good they are and how they react to adversity.”
