Rodgers to rest tired duo

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is preparing to give midfielders Raheem Sterling and Joe Allen a rest after acknowledging fatigue played a part in their home defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday.

Sterling has been hugely impressive in his first Barclays Premier League season but has only just turned 18 while Allen is also getting used to life at Anfield after following Rodgers from Swansea in the summer.