Allen in West Brom contention

The midfielder completed a transfer from Swansea City on Friday, and the manager has revealed he is in line to make his first appearance for the Reds at the Hawthorns.

Asked if Allen would come into his thinking for Saturday, Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com: "Yes.

"We got the go ahead (to sign him) at the weekend and then he went away with his international team.

"I'm sure he's enjoyed his first couple of days here. Like I said to him, I was afforded a great welcome here by the people, the players have been brilliant since I've been here - and I'm sure it's been likewise for him, but you'll need to ask him that."

Rodgers will welcome a clutch of first-team stars back to Melwood today following the midweek internationals as he finalises his plans for the clash with the Baggies.

And while the manager is preparing to check on the fitness of those players, he already has an idea in mind about his team selection.

He said: "I normally have a good idea in relation to what the team will be, but there are obviously considerations I'll need to make in the next couple of days in terms of players coming back and their fitness.

"In terms of tactics and my thoughts on the game, I've already got my team in mind."

He added: "We had 16 players training on Wednesday morning, and we've obviously got a number to come back this afternoon after the internationals. Touch wood, they'll all come out of that quite well.

"The players are looking fit, they look strong, and the intensity in their work has been very, very good."

Liverpool will kick off the 2012-13 league season having already played two competitive matches against FC Gomel in the Europa League third qualifying round.

The Reds also recorded a comprehensive 3-1 friendly victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday at Anfield - and Rodgers believes his men will journey to West Brom in buoyant mood.

So does Rodgers believe those Europa League games can have a positive impact on Liverpool's early-season form?

Watch the video here »

"I believe so - I believe it's narrowed our focus into a competitive element," he stated. "The games in pre-season are about fitness, but certainly when you turn the screw and go into the Europa League games and then the league, you see that real competitive nature come out in the players. I felt the two games (against Gomel) helped us in that way.

"The players are ready and their mindset is to compete. Hopefully we can continue with the good momentum we've built over the course of pre-season.

"Looking at the game against Gomel last Thursday, we had nearly 70 per cent of the ball and we made over 740-odd passes in the game, which tells you the team is in good condition and control.

"Then we played a very good side in Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend and had a positive result and performance.

"The shape and mentality of the team is in a good moment and we can't wait to get started."

Though Liverpool may begin the 2012-13 Barclays Premier League with a game away from L4, Rodgers insists he'll be sending his team out with the intention of returning to Merseyside with three points.

Indeed, the Northern Irishman claims it is a policy he'll be adopting throughout the campaign.

"Tactically, there is always a different element in every game, but for me the idea is to win," he said. "The game plan is to always go and win, whether it's home or away, and I have the confidence we can do that.

"You can't always win, and if you can't then it's important you don't lose - but the team's mindset will always be to control and dominate the game.

"I'm not one that likes to sit and suffer for 25-30 minutes without the ball. I like my teams to show good tactical capacity to control and dominate the game, and be as in control of your outcome as much as you possibly can.

"That will be my idea that we work on every day."

Rodgers could barely have wished for a tougher start to his first league season as Liverpool manager.

After tackling West Brom, the Reds will face Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United in their first five games of the campaign, as well as a trip to Sunderland.

Naturally, Rodgers is eager for his charges to get their term off to a flyer - though he's keen to highlight a strong finish to a season can be just as beneficial as a good start.

"It's good to start well - but it's more important you finish well," he said. "You saw last season with Arsenal, they didn't get off to the best of starts in the first 10 games, but they ended up getting into a Champions League spot, which is where they wanted to be.

"For us, of course we ideally want to start well, but it's not the be all and end all if we don't. The most important thing will be where we finish, and I believe the group will get stronger and stronger as the year goes on as they become more attuned to my methods and management."

This weekend's contest will be a landmark occasion for Rodgers as he takes charge of Liverpool in the league for the first time.

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So how will he be feeling when the alarm clock goes off on Saturday morning?

"I'll be feeling the same way I've been feeling every single day of my life here," he states. "It's a real honour to manage the club. I'll wake up (on Saturday) like I do every day and feel very privileged to be the manager here.

"I'm really looking forward to the start of the campaign. That first actual league game is a really exciting time. We travel to West Brom and with Steve (Clarke) there, who I know very well, it will be a difficult game - like all of the games are at this level.

"The players are looking fit, they look strong, they look mentally capable, which is important, and tactically they've really took on board the concepts of what I've been trying to implement.

"It certainly won't be perfect, but we're going to be in a position where we can be competitive - and that's going to be important."