Liverpool lost just 1-0 to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday after not starting Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Dejan Lovren, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho, Glen Johnson and Mario Balotelli. Rodgers said: “All the players understood the decision [team selection]. They are top professionals. I am very fortunate with the players I have. And for me the name is irrelevant. It’s not about the big names, it’s about the performance."
Liverpool plays Chelsea on Saturday.
“I go with my gut feeling and my gut feeling was after the match against Newcastle at the weekend this was the side for this game. And having played seven games in 21 days when you can’t train so much and when you have to develop things in the games themselves.
“I don’t think in terms of big showcase games. I did not see this a big showcase game. I thought Kolo Toure was excellent; Adam Lallana was excellent, Fabio Borini showed good movement. It might have seen a gamble but it wasn’t.”