Rodgers Could Hand Shock Start to Liverpool Youngster against Everton

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he could make a surprise selection for the Merseyside derby after revealing that Jon Flanagan was in contention to start at left-back.

The 20-year-old was handed a shock start against Arsenal earlier this season after Glen Johnson had been ruled out through injury, Andre Wisdom had been sent out on-loan to Derby County and Martin Kelly was still recovering from a long-term lay-off.

Liverpool subsequently lost the game 2-0 but Rodgers was suitably impressed with the display of Flanagan and has suggested that he may make just his second appearance of the season against bitter rivals Everton at Goodison Park.

"With Jose out, I've got Aly Cissokho, who came in as cover, but I've also got other options like young Jon Flanagan," Rodgers told the official Liverpool website.

"Jon has been outstanding in training and he seems to be getting better and better. He did very well against Arsenal. He didn't do anything wrong in that game.

"When he came off, it was simply because we wanted to be more offensive as we were chasing the game.

"Jon is a young player who will never let you down. Of course it's disappointing if you lose your No.1 left-back but it's an opportunity for someone else to come in and do well.

"I'm not concerned about that position. Cissokho and Flanagan can both play there."

Liverpool have impressed at the back this season, conceding just 10 goals despite having to get used to a new system which allows the full-backs to play much further forward.

The new formation was seen as perfect for first choice full-backs Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique and despite the duo missing a number of games through injury, Rodgers has continued to emply five at the back with great success.