5 Liverpool Players Who Must Start Capital One Cup Tie with Swansea

Liverpool host Swansea City at Anfield on Tuesday night in the Capital One Cup fourth round—the home side's fourth game in 10 days.

With trips to Newcastle and Real Madrid within a week of this match, Brendan Rodgers will be looking to rotate his squad and rest key players such as Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling.

Both Gerrard and Sterling have looked tired in recent games, especially against Hull City on Saturday. Their flat performances perhaps epitomised the team's display.

In a somewhat surprising move, given he removed them early against Real Madrid last Wednesday, Rodgers kept Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho on the bench against the Tigers.

Emre Can got a rare start in midfield while fellow new signing Lazar Markovic hasn't started a game since Basel away at the beginning of October—he was an unused sub against Hull.

While there are players who need a rest, there are others who need to start.

Here are five who Rodgers must give the nod against Swansea. 

Rickie Lambert

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Rickie Lambert has started two games for Liverpool this season—one against Middlesbrough in the third round of the Capital One Cup, one against West Brom in the Premier League.

His arrival from the bench for the final 30 minutes against Hull gave Liverpool a completely new look.

He showed some good touches—one in particular to play in Mario Balotelli.

Lambert must start this game. Hopefully he can build on his cameo against the Tigers. His first goal for the club would remove a huge weight from his shoulders. 

Mario Balotelli

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Lambert's introduction not only got Liverpool playing, but also got the best from Balotelli.

The Italian is clearly short of confidence. Starting alongside Lambert would reduce the burden on him, allow him to play more freely and hopefully result in an improved performance.

Rodgers commented on how the two players linked up well against Hull. He must start them together against Swansea. 

Philippe Coutinho

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Not only did Lambert's introduction help Liverpool improve against Hull, but so too did the introduction of Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazilian was the best player on the pitch in the final 30 minutes, just as he was after appearing as a sub against QPR a week earlier.

He was also Liverpool's best player against Madrid on Wednesday—making his exclusion from the starting XI against Hull a little baffling.

Improved shooting, more drive and direct play are signs that Coutinho is recovering his form after a slow start to the season. He must start on Tuesday and build on these recent showings. 

Adam Lallana

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

While it was a good performance from Coutinho against Hull, it was a poor one from Adam Lallana, who started the match but was withdrawn on the hour.

The former Southampton midfielder had been finding his feet at Anfield but needs to play more to get his rhythm.

Starting him at the point of a diamond midfield behind Lambert and Balotelli, with Coutinho deeper in the midfield, would give Liverpool real creativity centrally while allowing Sterling the rest he desperately needs. 

Kolo Toure

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

A rare clean sheet on Saturday was a welcome sight for Liverpool's defence, and Simon Mignolet should keep his place against Swansea.

However, Dejan Lovren is a player still struggling at his new club. Despite an improved performance, he was rarely tested, and there were still some worrying signs. The Croatian twice missed good opportunities to score on attacking set pieces.

For that reason, Lovren needs a rest.

However, with Mamadou Sakho out injured, that leaves Kolo Toure as Rodgers' only option at centre-back.

The Ivorian started in the last round against Middlesbrough and should continue against Swansea.