Liverpool v Hearts... time to experiment?

Liverpool face the return leg of the UEFA Cup (Europa League - what the hell kind of name is that?) qualifier against Hearts in a reasonable position. Whilst eh performance in Scotland wasn't especially inspiring a 1-0 away win in Europe is not bad for starters. Especially when you consider the games that Brendan Rodgers also has to deal with.

With the Hearts games being immediately followed by two of the biggest games of the season, he has had things to chew over in his new job. To be fair it could have been trickier. If Rodgers had been sorting through the balls himself when they were doing the draw you suspect that Hearts would have been one of the preferred choices. When you consider some of the other teams in the draw, it looks as though you would need a wardrobe to travel to the away leg. It also helped that the City and Arsenal games were both at home. A trip to City, followed by a mission to Azerbaijan (I'm pretty sure that's where Baku is), followed by another trip to the Emirates and things would be a little less straight-forward.

In the early stages as well it gives Rodgers a chance to experiment a little. I think it's a fair bet that we wouldn't have seen Raheem Sterling get a full game against City if Rodgers hadn't had the chance to see him properly against Hearts in the first leg when he impressed.

He also got the chance to try Downing at left back in that game which apparently is something Rodgers is considering as an option. Not sure of the wisdom in that one myself, but we shall see.

I suppose I'm glad that tie is still alive tomorrow.. if we'd just crushed Hearts in the first leg, it would have made the second game a little bit dull. It keeps us honest. Especially as it's going to be the first European game I've been to for a little while.. and in my current circumstances I don't think it's going to be that regular Thursday night trip.

The UEFA Cup does provide the opportunity for squad rotation and it will be interesting to see who gets a run out tomorrow. Presumably Agger will play to keep him up to speed following his suspension, I suspect Downing will get the nod tomorrow as well. I can't see Sterling starting his 3rd game in a week, although he will most likely be on the bench.

The main problem as I see it will be the shape of the midfield, more with Sunday's game against Arsenal in mind. With Lucas out for another couple of months, it will be interesting to see how Rodgers brings it together. With the 4-3-3 system, you would have thought he was looking at Gerrard, Allen and Lucas. With that option now removed for the time being, presumably Sahin will given more of a role than he might have expected.

With the likes of Spearing and Adam, players who filled in the holding roll last season, looking like they are on the way out then we will see how Rodgers  intends to bring it together, and which players will be surplus to requirements.

Raheem Sterling with one of the bigger boys.

The UEFA Cup does give him the opportunity to look at players in proper games and shape the squad as he wants.. and it will accelerate the process given the amount of games you have to play in it. It will also accelerate the progress of the kids he seems keen to bring through, again with Sterling being the prime example.

It is a decent tournament, and given Liverpool's history in Europe one we should be looking at seriously. It does make me sick that the likes of Villa and Spurs in recent seasons have not given it the respect it deserves. If for example Barcelona dropped into the competition (quite how this would happen is not clear) but they could be forgiven for not being fully committed - although they would probably win it anyway. Spurs on the other hand  haven't won a European trophy since the UEFA Cup in 1984 and only two League Cups in the past 20 years.

Perhaps I'm old fashioned, but I consider winning big shiny trophies the point of football. Finishing fourth, is handy financially and all of that. But ask yourself this.. In 2001 Liverpool qualified for the Champions League.. was that the best bit of that season?