Boss: Show me your hunger
Brendan Rodgers has warned his Liverpool squad the only way they'll hold down a regular place in his starting XI is by showing a burning desire to succeed at Melwood on a daily basis.
The manager has revealed that hunger and a willingness to fight for success are the key factors he looks for when deciding upon his team selection.
Rodgers explained: "As coaches we are not magicians. For me football players are no different to plumbers, to joiners to bricklayers, they are self-employed and us as medics, coaches and managers, we are the tools that help them to be better.
"We will give them everything to help them to be better, but if they don't want to show that self-motivation, if you haven't got that desire and hunger to succeed then it can be very difficult for you.
"It is about hunger and desire and that is why you admire big players who stay at the top for as long as they can because it is not just what they are doing in games.
"Look at Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. You see these guys come in at the right time, eating the right foods, their weight is immaculate. It is a way of life and if you prepare yourself right and are prepared to work hard that gives you confidence and then confidence will ultimately lead to success.
"But if you are not quite right in your preparation and you come in looking for an easy life, pick up your money, it won't be here. We are a club that has to be fighting going forward."
Rodgers has shown no qualms about pitching some of Liverpool's younger stars into action this season, with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Suso, Adam Morgan, Andre Wisdom and Jack Robinson all getting first-team action.
The boss insists it is their attitude on the training pitch that has elevated them into the senior set up.
"My job couldn't be easier because if you are fighting and someone else isn't, it is so easy," said Rodgers. "I assess it every day because I am on the field. I am not sat in an office, out playing golf two or three times a week and then turning up on a Friday, jumping on the coach and then picking the team.
"I am there watching the players every day. I get to see their ups and downs and over time I can gauge their mentality and their work.
"I always say that what a player is committed to mentally that is what you will see physically. Lots of players will say they want to be in the team, they want to fight and then you watch them and physically they don't put their body on the line. That is what their commitment is mentally.
"Whenever I see Jamie Carragher out on his knees at the death of a game like on Wednesday whatever he is like physically that is his commitment mentally.
"The ones that don't put their bodies on the line stand out like a sore thumb. For me status does not matter. It doesn't matter how much money you have come for. I will play a 17-year-old if he fights and he has quality."
One man who has impressed the manager with his attitude is Daniel Agger, who despite picking up an injury against Manchester United last weekend could face Norwich City today.
"Daniel will have some discomfort but he is a real warrior and he will play through pain," said Rodgers.
"All the players are really fighting for the group and want to show they are prepared to put their bodies on the line to succeed.
"Football does not give you character, it finds out if you've got it. Our players have got character by the bucketload."