Echo: Suso could get opportunity

Brendan Rodgers has challenged Liverpool's youngsters to step up to the plate over the coming months and prove they belong at Anfield.

The boss is ready to turn to teenagers like Spanish winger Suso, who has yet to make his debut, in a bid to boost his options after his squad was trimmed during the summer transfer window.

"It will give me the chance to look at some young players who maybe wouldn't have been given a chance before," said Rodgers.

"They now come to the fore. I always believe things happen for a reason and maybe the reason is that boys like Suso will get an opportunity now.

"What we'll see over the next three or four months is do we have enough good young players? That will bring us through to January and we will assess it from there. If you cry for an opportunity, you might now get one and then you have to take it like young Raheem Sterling who has been fantastic."

Rodgers, who was speaking at a new monthly forum at Melwood with representatives of Liverpool fan sites and blogs, has no qualms about putting his faith in youth.

"I have done it all my short career as a manager," he said.

"I have an inherent belief in young players. But they have to have the talent and the personality.

"If you look throughout European football and in particular in the Premier League, the number of under-21 players playing is very small in terms of a percentage. Last year at Swansea I had a number of under-21 players playing for me. If you look throughout the other teams there were very few.

"If you see clubs who do give young players opportunities it's normally where the manager has an inherent belief in them or financially it's forced upon them. For me it probably works both ways. But it's all about balance. Your young players are only as good as your senior players.

"I look at Jamie Carragher and I said this in training the other day. He's 34 years of age, he's been doing this for 18 years and his attitude is still the very best.

"If young players are going to overtake senior players they not only have to have talent but also the attitude. It's no good saying I will show you what I am like if I can get 15 minutes on the pitch. You have to show me what you're like every single day of your life to fight for the shirt."

One point from Liverpool's opening three Premier League games wasn't the start Rodgers wanted but he believes there was always going to be a period of adjustment to a new playing style.

The Northern Irishman insists the Reds will reap the rewards of his methods.

"I understand you people need to see your team winning but also the other reason I came here is because it's not just about winning for Liverpool," he added.

"Liverpool Football Club has been about the style. There's a way to win games.

"It's going to take some time. But the more we work together, the more we get the ideas, the more we get types of players who fit this way of working then you will see it change very quickly. We need to be more creative at the top end of the field but get a balance so that we don't concede.

"What I found since I first came in here was that there's been a real sense of instability at the club for a few years. I've come in here looking to stabilise and implement a vision. I'm here at half seven in the morning and I leave between seven and eight at night. I give my life to the club to make it the very best it can be.

"I will provide quality in my work. At 39 years of age I've arrived at one of the biggest clubs in the world and I want to succeed."

Source: Liverpool Echo