Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted he will have to rotate his side in the coming weeks due to the Reds' jam-packed fixture list.
The German dropped captain Jordan Henderson , Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino on Wednesday for the visit of Merseyside rivals Everton .
And Klopp has made it clear in no uncertain terms that he will have to make big changes in the next few weeks as Liverpool play in the Premier League, Carabao Cup and FIFA Club World Cup before the end of the month.
“There was no plans to make 30 changes last year [in December] but it's time to make them now, that is clear,” he told reporters ahead of the clash with Bournemouth .
“That's what we'll do, 100 per cent. It's not FIFA or the PlayStation where players don't need a rest.
“There is no time for rest. Still, we have to try to give them rests here and there. The others have to perform.
"We have to make these changes. That is clear.”
Liverpool's first-team stars will be playing in the Middle East later this month, while the youth players take on Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup.
But Klopp admits he didn't consider splitting his first-team or the two competitions.
“Not for one second,” he continued.
“We won the Arsenal game [in the Carabao Cup] and we had to find a solution.
"It's not perfect but it's the best [option we have]. So we go to Qatar, play the game and also try to win at Villa. I did not consider splitting the squad.
“We had to do it like this. I think it's a really nice opportunity for the younger guys. I know everybody says [we have] no chance but that's why football is a wonderful thing.
"I hope all the boys and the staff enjoy it. No pressure.”
Liverpool hold an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League after a strong start to the campaign.
