Raheem Sterling and 5 Players Crucial to Liverpool's Busy Fixture Schedule
Brendan Rodgers used his press conference at Melwood on Thursday afternoon to put to bed the criticism that has been aimed at Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling this week, as per This Is Anfield.
By calling an end to the dispute with England and national team boss Roy Hodgson, Rodgers has attempted to remove the pressure from the 19-year-old's shoulders as the Reds go into a busy run of games.
Sterling's pace and creativity will be much needed as Liverpool look to take a grip of their season both in the Premier League and Champions League.
They travel to Queens Park Rangers on Sunday before a Champions League tie at home to Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
Steve Bruce's Hull City visit just a few days later on October 25. A League Cup tie against Swansea City at Anfield swiftly follows, before Newcastle United and Real Madrid away and Chelsea at home—all before November 8.
It's seven games in 20 days and could be a run that begins to define Liverpool's season. Here we look at five more players who will play a crucial part in Liverpool's immediate ambitions.
Daniel Sturridge
1 of 5
How Liverpool missed Daniel Sturridge during his spell on the sidelines with a thigh problem in September and early October.
It was an injury that made many headlines—Rodgers no doubt frustrated by the 25-year-old's absence.
His form in bagging 33 goals in all competitions last season showed no signs of stopping with a goal against Southampton on the first day of the 2014-15 season, and his pace could prove key to returning Liverpool to their pulsating style of football.
Martin Skrtel
2 of 5
All eyes will be on Liverpool's defence as they push their way through the tough run of games ahead, and at the heart of that is stalwart Martin Skrtel.
The Slovakian international looks to have been trusted by Rodgers to lead the back line, with Dejan Lovren, Javier Manquillo and Alberto Moreno so new to the club.
The 29-year-old's strength and experience may prove an extremely important asset against the more formidable opponents of Real Madrid and Chelsea.
Jordan Henderson
3 of 5
Steven Gerrard's leadership remains a very important ingredient to Liverpool's success when they're playing well, but, increasingly, Jordan Henderson has been the new voice on the pitch.
Handed the vice-captaincy role by Rodgers last month, Henderson has been barking orders and keeping Liverpool organised in recent games.
Gerrard himself was on the end of a ticking off from Henderson when the 24-year-old urged the skipper to run the ball into the corner in the closing stages of Liverpool's 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Anfield.
Adam Lallana
4 of 5
After missing the start of the season, Adam Lallana has started to look like a very sharp and very important Liverpool player.
He scored his first Liverpool goal in the 2-1 win over West Brom and has looked increasingly exciting as he returns to full fitness.
The England international's creativity, as well as experience in the Premier League, will be important in October and November as Liverpool look to get points on the table.
Mario Balotelli
5 of 5
After a slow start to his Liverpool career, Mario Balotelli is keen to get going, this week telling Sport magazine, via This Is Anfield:
"If it was my choice, I would always go with two strikers. It's the way I like to play, but Brendan asked me to play as the first striker.
I understand that when the ball comes from wide on the left or right I need to be in the box otherwise there might be no-one there at all.
"
The Italian will get his wish with the return of Sturridge from injury, and the bright signs they showed together on Balotelli's debut at Tottenham Hotspur in August will hopefully continue to flourish.
Who else will be crucial to Liverpool's success over the next busy run of games?
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