Brendan Rodgers says he will consider using Raheem Sterling as a central striker again, after the teenager played the role in the second half of the Reds 0-3 defeat at home to Real Madrid on Wednesday evening.
Mario Balotelli is struggling for form with just one goal in his first 10 Liverpool appearances, whilst Daniel Sturridge remains injured.
Sterling has been the Reds most impressive player this term, and Rodgers says he would have no hesitation in selecting him for a central strikers role.
“It was just something that I felt could help us in the game, his mobility and speed along the line is there whether he plays from the side or the front role,” the Northern Irishman explained.
“He’s a very talented young player and has played as a striker as a youngster, so he understands the position well. If we feel it helps the team in order to get results then it’s something that I can look at.
“I felt it was something that could help us at half-time and it was a purely tactical decision. It’s something that I can consider in the future.”
Summer signing Rickie Lambert remained an unused substitute for 90 minutes of the Real encounter, with the forward still chasing his first Liverpool goal since a £4million switch from Southampton in the summer.
But Rodgers looked to back the 32-year-old striker at his pre-match press conference for the Hull City game this afternoon.
The boss said: “Rickie has always been very clear of his position and what the expectancy is. Rickie knew he was going to get games – he wasn’t going to be a starter but there were going to be times when the team would need him.
“That’s how it has panned out for him. He’s a great guy and he recognises the role that he had to come in and play. He is playing that role in training every day. When he gets opportunities in games, he’ll look to impress.
“Obviously he wants to score that first goal for the club, but he has been absolutely no problem at all. Last night we needed something tactically different in the game, which was about speed and mobility, and that was why we put Raheem through the middle.
“Rickie’s role is an important role for us. It might not always seem that way because he doesn’t play so much, but he has been working outstandingly well every day. He’s there when required and if he’s called upon, he always gives 100 per cent to what we’re trying to achieve.”
Well fuckin dwa Brendan. Next weeks big revelation from Rodgers will be Mingolet isn’t really a Liverpool standard goal keeper.
How long do we have to keep listening to his garbage . Lambert , Balotelli , Borini , Allen , Mingolet all rubbish . He should never have a let Ibe go out on loan . But since he has he should do the next best thing & start playing Sterling up front with Ojo @ Sinclair sharing the 90 mins but n it will be Lambert .