Kolo Toure and Brendan Rodgers' Potential Liverpool Selection Dilemmas

Brendan Rodgers came under immense criticism for his decision to field an under-strength Liverpool team for this week's Champions League encounter at Real Madrid with one eye on Saturday's Premier League clash against Chelsea.

"Normally, against the most difficult opponents, normally I will try to go with my best team," Jose Mourinho told press at his pre-match press conference, referring to Rodgers' decision, as per the Press Association (h/t Eurosport).

"First of all he has to explain to his fans why he put this team—not to me, not to you," UEFA president Michel Platini was quoted as saying per the Guardian.

The Northern Irishman may have selected a mostly second-choice starting XI in the Spanish capital on Wednesday night, but he came out of it, despite the 1-0 defeat, with positive performances from his squad players.

A sense of cohesion and organised structure to the team was complemented by brave and impressive individual displays that will give Rodgers selection dilemmas ahead of this weekend's meeting with Chelsea at Anfield—starting with Kolo Toure...

Kolo Toure

Paul White/Associated Press

Liverpool's leadership in defence this season has been like a Big Mac lacking a burger. There's been no substance, and the ever-changing back four look a long way from being the finished product.

It was, therefore, very refreshing for Reds fans to see a solid and impressive performance by Toure at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

The Ivorian looked composed in possession and threw himself bravely in for challenges and interceptions throughout the night. His experience of big games—going back to a glittering career at Arsenal and Manchester City—was to Liverpool's benefit.

His commanding performance lead to great praise on social media, particularly in comparison to his defensive partner, Martin Skrtel.

But will Toure's performance against Real be enough to dislodge the Slovakian or Dejan Lovren from their starting place against Chelsea?

Emre Can

Paul White/Associated Press

After unfortunate injuries delayed the start of his career at Liverpool, Emre Can is beginning to show signs of becoming a real midfield powerhouse.

His strength and physique is imposing on opposition and his commanding of Liverpool's midfield looks ever-more controlling.

If Liverpool are to begin taking games by the scruff of the neck, they need a decisive player such as Can to construct the pace of their game from the middle of the park.

With Chelsea's physical midfield stalwarts, will Rodgers have the courage to present them with a player who could potentially be their match?

Lazar Markovic

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Lazar Markovic may well be a "grower" for fans of Liverpool, having yet to find his stride.

It's easy to forget that the Serbian international is only 20-years-old, having come to Liverpool with such a high price tag and having already gained experience at two previous clubs.

On Wednesday, Markovic showed glimpses as to why the Reds took such a big gamble on the former Benfica winger.

He is certainly gaining the confidence to take players on, and his creativity could potentially be a key ingredient to this ever-developing Liverpool side.

Markovic will only grow with game time, but Rodgers may feel this Saturday's clash is one too big for Markovic to continue that journey immediately.

Steven Gerrard

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Having sat out of the first 69 minutes of Liverpool's defeat to Real in mid-week, the skipper's fresh legs brought about a late surge of attacking impetus to Rodgers' side.

Rodgers later revealed, in an attempt to calm the furore over leaving his captain out of the starting XI against Real, that Gerrard had undergone a scan on his hamstring earlier in the week, as per This Is Anfield.

Rodgers may have been saving Gerrard for the Chelsea game anyway, but good performances by midfielders Can and Lucas Leiva will have given the Northern Irishman food for thought.