BR buoyed by defensive intelligence

Although much of the attention during March was understandably focused on exploits at the other end of the field, the side also recorded three clean sheets from a quintet of fixtures last month.

This weekend, Rodgers' team will be tasked with containing the power of former Liverpool striker Andy Carroll as the Barclays Premier League pace-setters travel to West Ham United on Sunday.

The manager believes the backline's previous experience of similar opponents this season will stand them in good stead against the Englishman as the Reds attempt to clock up a ninth straight victory.

"I want defenders to work with intelligence," Rodgers explained. "You've seen Martin Skrtel's form. He very rarely goes to ground now. He very rarely gives away free-kicks.

"His intelligence as a defender is first-class. His aggression to go and attack it at the right time has been first-class. Daniel Agger is a centre-half who can go and head it and cover.

"And when he's not available for whatever reason we have Mamadou Sakho, who is aggressive, strong and can really dictate to the opponent.

"It's all part of the learning and hopefully we've learned. We've come up against big centre-forwards and dealt with it well."

Carroll has found the back of the net twice in nine Premier League appearances for the Hammers in 2013-14, hitting the target in their most recent clash, at Sunderland on Monday night.

Rodgers has analysed West Ham's chief threats carefully and backed Liverpool's defenders to successfully stem the home attack at Upton Park.

He added: "There's no doubt that West Ham's strength is to be direct, get it up, in and around the box, have runners into the box and from corners.

"And you saw big Andy the other night score a good header from a corner but that is what we have to cope with. We've done it before and I'm sure we can do it again.

"You can't let someone of that ilk, whose strength is attacking the ball in the area, have a free run at it."