Brendan: The hardest part of my job

The manager has a wealth of options at his disposal and insists he's happy to see players going the extra mile at Melwood to play their way into his thoughts.

Rodgers, for example, reserved special praise for youngsters Luis Alberto and Raheem Sterling, who he feels are improving on a daily basis.

And the boss also elaborated on the dilemma he faces when choosing between four centre-backs for two spaces in the starting XI.

"It's a credit to them that it's no problem whatsoever," said Rodgers. "Of course they want to play.

"We brought Kolo Toure in and he's been exceptional since he has come in, on and off the field, with his energy and his enthusiasm for football. His experience is vital for us. He was injured and he came out of the team.

"Martin Skrtel has been arguably one of the best centre-halves in the league in the last 12 or 13 games. He's been outstanding. He's shown the things that we have spoken about over the last season and he was able to put them into practice when he got the chance.

"Sakho is a talent. Of course he'll want to play, but he's working very hard in training to get the shirt. And that's what we need. We have to have the competition, because that will bring out the best in the players.

"I always say that it's the hardest part of my job. I recognise with the players and acknowledge to them that with just one game a week it's difficult."

Rodgers added: "Luis Alberto is getting better every day - he's adapting and adjusting to the physicality of this great league and the game in this country.  He's getting better all the time.

"There's young Raheem Sterling, who has been excellent in training and in his working. But because of the form of the team, it's been hard to get some of these guys on the field.

"So it's my job to help them and show that there's a pathway for them here at the club. It's not just with the central defenders, it's right the way through the team.

"For me it was very important to establish a culture of work on a daily basis and that's what we have got from the players.

"They come in to work hard and I'll always reward players who do that. There's no rocket science behind it - you've got to come in and work hard and earn your money.

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"And that's what the players are doing. Every single day they give everything and that puts them in with a chance of playing. It's the players who pick the team really."

The Reds travel to Humberside on Sunday afternoon to take on Steve Bruce's Hull as they look to return to winning ways in the Barclays Premier League after the 3-3 draw against Everton.

Bruce's side sit 13th in the table and have enjoyed the best start to the current campaign of the three sides who were promoted from the Championship last season.

Rodgers expects a tough test at the KC Stadium - and cited Bruce's managerial qualities as one of the driving forces behind an organised Tigers outfit.

"We know it's going to be a very difficult game," said Rodgers. "I'm delighted for Steve Bruce. I thought he did an excellent job at Sunderland.

"When I came into the Premier League with Swansea, Sunderland were one of the first teams we played and I thought they were excellent.

"Unfortunately later on that season he lost his job. But he's showed his immense character when he went to Hull and got them promoted.

"Of the teams who have been promoted, they've done really well and they look to be heading on course to be a team in the middle of the table, so that tells you that it's going to be a very difficult game for us.

"But our confidence is high and out spirit is very strong at the moment. Even though it will be tough, we hope we can go and get three points.

"There's a good atmosphere in the stadium and they haven't conceded too many goals at home. They have Tom Huddlestone, who is a wonderful playmaker for them and they have some good players.

"Danny Graham is a player that I had at Swansea and he was brilliant for me in the Premier League year that we had. But we'll always respect them and their work, which has been very good."

Rodgers feels the Reds could reap the rewards of a full week's training when they take on Hull at the weekend.

The build-up to the Merseyside derby draw against Everton was hampered somewhat by an international break and the absence of a full squad in the days preceding the tie.

"It's always favourable to have your players available," said Rodgers. "We've worked hard this week on many aspects of our game.

"During the two-week international lay-off, when a lot of the players are away, you're literally only getting your squad back on the Friday and then you're going straight into a big game like the derby.

"So that's maybe one of the reasons why it was so open, because of the lack of time both coaches had to work with the players.

"But that said, you move on and we go into the game on Sunday prepared for a hard game, but looking to get the three points.

"It was a terrific game. I think when you take away the emotional side of the game, it was a really good point for us. It was a real attacking game that from a coaching perspective was probably way too open.

"There were lots of mistakes defensively in the game, but we showed yet again our incredible character that's within the team and the mentality, which is very strong. We're a very hard team to beat and that's very important as any manager will tell you.

"If you can't win a game, then you have to fight not to lose it and that was something that we did against Everton."

It was put to Rodgers that while Liverpool are setting the standard in terms of goals scored so far in the Premier League this season, they have been susceptible at the back in recent weeks.

And while the manager admitted he would like to tighten up defensively on the road going forward, he insisted his side have proved they possess enough firepower to put any team to the sword.

"When I came in here, the big challenge was to score goals," said Rodgers. "I think everyone recognised that was an issue within the team.

"I believe this year we are one of the highest goalscorers in the league. And that's what wins you football matches. If you look at our record at Anfield this season, we haven't conceded too many goals at home.

"I think there's obviously moments, like in the game last week, where we probably lost our concentration. The game against Everton was unique because at the end of the match it was like a basketball game - there was no organisation.

"People were fighting to get the result and you've got to tip your hat to the players sometimes, because they want to go and win the game. And for us, with six or seven minutes to go, we were fighting to get a result in the game and for that I can only give the players credit."