Rodgers says Reds are motivated for Cherries clash

Brendan Rodgers says his Liverpool team must be more motivated for their trip to Bournemouth than for meetings with Manchester United and Chelsea.

The Reds head to the south-coast for their FA Cup Fourth Round clash with the Championship outfit at lunchtime on Saturday knowing they must be fully prepared for the challenge.

After seeing his side go out at the same stage of last year's competition at the hands of League Two Oldham Athletic, Rodgers says they will not underestimate Eddie Howe's Cherries.  

"Whatever your motivation is for games against Manchester United or Chelsea, I think you have to go five times more in a game like this because they're such tough games," he said.

"The players are under no illusions that for us to get through we have to be mentally prepared to up the tempo.

"Last year I didn't underestimate Oldham or any opponent we just had to make the changes [to the team] and we suffered for it."

Rodgers continued: "When you're Liverpool and you're playing well I think you're always going to be a scalp as players at that level want to show they can play against you at your level.

"We saw that in our last game against Oldham, who may be in League One, but have some good players who kept the game in the balance all the way through.

"But it's for us to ensure that our mentality is right and that we're willing to do the dirty stuff and the ugly bits in the game and then you look for your quality to come through."

Iago Aspas netted in the last round

Rodgers has been dealt a number of injury and illness concerns ahead of The Cup encounter and also confirmed England defender Glen Johnson has been added to the casualty list. 

While he will still have a solid contingent of experienced players to call upon, Rodgers also expects to see a few younger faces in the squad.

Liverpool will still begin the game, which will be televised live on ITV, as favourites as they sit in the Premier League's top four.

And the Irishman believes it will provide a chance for his fringe players to prove themselves in what could be a tricky fixture for the Reds. 

"You will never know until you put young players in but it is certainly one where we will have a lot of our experienced players about," added the Reds boss.

"It can be a good time to put them in as long as they are surrounded by other senior players.

"We are trying to maintain the effort in our work and it could be an opportunity for our young talented players to show."