Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers looks set to rest both legendary captain Steven Gerrard and 19-year-old superstar Raheem Sterling for the trip to Real Madrid in tonight's Champions League clash at Santiago Bernabeu. It is a decision that will likely divide opinion with Reds fanatics across the globe, and one that the Northern Irishman risks a potential backlash with. There are certainly advantages and disadvantages behind it. Advantages If we're being honest, even the most ardent Liverpool supporter would struggle to believe they will get anything from the game. Rodgers' men are in a terrible run of form- they have really only played well once so far this season, against Tottenham- while the Spanish giants have a, quite frankly, ridiculous attacking unit. Cristiano Ronaldo is in the most devastating form of his career, and when you add the likes of Karim Benzema, James Rodriguez, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos- Gareth Bale is likely to miss out on a starting berth through injury- you realise the Merseysiders could be in trouble. Resting a couple of important players may not seem as stupid as it sounds. Contrary to some media reports, there is no way in a million years that Gerrard is being dropped for the clash with Carlo Ancelotti's European champions. The 34-year-old struggles to play three games a week these days, and with a huge Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday looming, Rodgers clearly feels his skipper is more important to him for that game. Sterling, meanwhile, has not been the same player since receiving a harsh amount of criticism for telling England boss Roy Hodgson he was tired last month. The 19-year-old does look a little jaded, and resting him would make him nice and fresh for the visit of Jose Mourinho's side. He was anonymous against Newcastle on Saturday, barely having a kick at times. It's time for some fringe players to step up to the mantle tonight, whether it be Lucas Leiva, Lazar Markovic or Emre Can. Rodgers has added more depth to his squad in order to deal with the addition of Champions League football this season. You can't just play the same starting eleven for two games of such pressure and magnitude, and it is weeks like this where the quality throughout the squad is really tested. Click next to reveal the disadvantages of dropping the pair...
