Wednesday, 5th November, 2014
UEFA president Michel Platini has called on Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers to explain to the club's fans while he fielded an under-strength team against Real Madrid last night.
Rodgers dropped skipper Steven Gerrard, winger Raheem Sterling, midfielders Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson, and striker Mario Balotelli to the bench at the Bernabeu, while £20m defensive summer signing Dejan Lovren was not included in the matchday squad at all.
The Reds rarely tested Real Madrid in the Champions League clash and slipped to a 1-0 defeat, with the Spaniards playing well below their best.
It has been suggested Liverpool could be in breach of UEFA Champions League rules which state a club must play their strongest team in the tournament.
relatedNewsStory
But Platini feels Rodgers has explaining to do to the fans of a five-time European Cup winning club, rather than UEFA.
"First of all he has to explain to his fans why he put this team – not to me, not to you", Platini was quoted as saying by the BBC.
Indeed, Platini thinks if he were to question Rodgers then the Northern Irishman could simply insist he had put his best team out at the Bernabeu.
"Are you sure it was not the best team? How can I say that? The coach of Liverpool, if I say something, he'll say, 'Oh, Michel Platini, I put my best team of the moment.' And I would be stupid", the Frenchman added.
Don't bet on football until you've visited Inside Bet! Interesting markets, top tips, betting facts – get all the info before you bet.
