BR: No pressure on new boy
Brendan Rodgers says there is no immediate pressure on new Liverpool signing Daniel Sturridge as the boss plans to utilise the depth available in his squad for the FA Cup tie against Mansfield on Sunday.
The 23-year-old completed a switch to the Reds on Wednesday, becoming the manager's first purchase of the January transfer window, but may not make his debut at the first opportunity.
"We'll assess that over the next couple of days. He's still catching up on his fitness because he's been out for a period of time," Rodgers told reporters when asked whether Sturridge would start at the weekend.
"I'm not looking to rush Daniel into anything. He's looked good in the couple of sessions that he's had - it's just going to take a bit of time to get his full fitness.
"That will come through working with the players in the games. He's not under pressure to come in and perform straight away, in particular because of the level of the team at the moment. Certainly over the next few weeks, we can get him up to speed and give him some game time."
The manager also discussed the potential striking combination between Sturridge and 18-goal Luis Suarez - with the flexibility of both players a crucial factor for the Northern Irishman.
He added: "The types of players we're trying to bring in here are tactically flexible. Daniel can play off the right, off the left or central. It's exactly the same with Luis Suarez. Wherever he plays, he gets goals.
"That's the type of players we want, who are fluent. Daniel will come in and be a great addition to the squad - I'm sure he'll prove that. All good players want to play with other good players and I'm looking forward to seeing my team improve over the second half of the season."
Rodgers will offer several of his first-team stars a rest for the third-round tie against the Conference outfit, although he insisted the side he picks will be more than capable of securing the desired result.
"I've got great belief in the group. I'll always pick a team to go and win the game - that's what we'll do this weekend. Some of the players have played a lot in the league, so it's an opportunity for them to recuperate," continued the boss.
"But I would never put the tie at risk because it's a tournament we want to do well in. Sometimes these early rounds can be the most difficult. I'll do what I've always done - pick a team to win.
"It's a competition that this club has won a number of times in the past and it's a trophy everyone in British football associates with. It's a tricky tie - that's why the cameras are there, hoping for an upset. It's about being professional and doing our job. If we do that, we'll be fine.
"Mansfield are ninth in their division and pushing to get into the play-offs. They are still difficult games - you've got to make sure you get your approach right. If you do that, you hope your qualities come through.
"It's real football. You get guys that are working hard at that level, in not always the best conditions. It's a final for Mansfield - you saw their faces after the Lincoln game when they qualified.
"For them to play against Liverpool, a club with such prestige, they're going to give their maximum. For us it's a game to continue our good form and momentum - we'll look to go there and do a good job.
"There's no doubt the cup gives you momentum. We've got two trophies to play for this season, and we're looking to push on in the league as well. We're hoping every game is a cup final for us between now and the end of the season."
Rodgers was also quizzed about issues away from Anfield this week, including an incident on Thursday which saw AC Milan's players leave the pitch mid-match following racist abuse.
The 39-year-old backed the decision: "It was very courageous. It was a friendly so for the club to go there and be treated like that wasn't what you'd expect.
"It's something that the whole country and football have worked tirelessly over many years to [get rid of]. It's not quite the same in Europe, to be honest. It's something that shouldn't be stood for, across the world. The campaign goes on."
And the boss dismissed the furore surrounding an altercation between Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini and Mario Balotelli during a training session.
Asked whether he had ever experienced something similar, Rodgers joked: "No, they're much bigger than me, normally! I try not to get involved too much.
"It sometimes can happen, you get different types of manager. It's part of football. When you see the pictures, it probably looks worse than it actually was. You've got elite sports people, coaches and managers - sometimes tempers will overspill. But it looked to me like it wasn't anything serious."