LFC boss explains switch to 4 defenders was squad rotation

After no clean sheets in 7 games, Rodgers brought back Agger and switched back to 4 defenders against Fulham. Why?

The change to 3 centre-backs may not have yielded any clean sheets, but the reds did still get some solid results in the Premier League.  Glen Johnson is a defender far more suited to the role of a wing back, and with the returning Coutinho expected to sit behind our current strike duo - it was a surprise when Brendan switched back to 4 defenders.

Kolo Toure was given the day off, while Sakho was an unused substitute.

Rather than appearing to be a major strategic switch, Brendan Rodgers implied that the decision is fuelled by one of squad rotation.

"I just decided to change it."

"I have said to the players that between now and January we have one game a week.

"The players are working very well and very hard on a daily basis but I need to give oxygen to some players, so they can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

"It is important that I use the players well.

The analysis from Brendan's answers suggests that he feels that Sakho and Toure are better served in a 3-5-2, whereas Agger is more suited for four at the back.

Liverpool, not one of the biggest squads in the Premier League, are fairly well-served at present in the centre-back department.

But chopping and changing systems AND alternating your central defenders, has long been something of a tactical taboo in the Premier League.  Rafa Benitez was widely criticised by the press for his squad rotation (before it became fashionable) but even he was reluctant to do so with his defenders.

Rodgers has shown throughout his short time at the club he has been willing to amend his philosophy - the reds giving up on their early attempts at 'Tika Taka' that stunted our results at the beginning of last season.  But changing the central defence?

Many Liverpool fans, like ourselves, will be watching the ongoing changes in the reds defence with interest.