Liverpool academy sensation Trent Alexander-Arnold was a notable absentee from Jurgen Klopp 's starting line-up against Norwich on Satuday, although they still cruised to a 3-1 victory in the Premier League.
They did suffer an initial scare though as Milot Rashica put the visitors in front via a wild deflection from Joel Matip that wrong-footed Alisson Becker, but normality was soon restored.
It was a slightly weakened line-up for Liverpool as both Alexander-Arnold and full-back partner Andy Robertson were dropped to face the Canaries, who are still rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.
And Klopp has revealed why Alexander-Arnold didn't play any part of the match at Anfield.
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Liverpool survived an early scare as Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and new signing Luis Diaz all got on the scoresheet in a routine win at Anfield, and the three points are even more vital after Manchester City slipped up against Tottenham.
It was a busy week for Liverpool as they picked up wins away to both Burnley and Inter Milan, and Klopp explained his decision to rest his star full-back.
Klopp told Sky Sports: "The need of this game. What this game and this team is asking for, because with the schedule we have we need today again a high energetic and intense performance and that’s only possible when you make changes and that’s why we did it."
Liverpool face Leeds in their rescheduled Boxing Day clash on Wednesday, before taking on Chelsea at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday afternoon.
Klopp is now blessed with the type of squad depth that he has been craving ever since he arrived at Anfield in 2015, and it's likely that a new set of players will be rested for Liverpool's match-up against Leeds also.
Liverpool have the chance to win the first domestic trophy of the year as they face Chelsea, and with that in mind, it's understandable why Klopp decided not to take any risks against a Norwich side fighting for their lives.
Leeds also face Manchester United on Sunday, and it's expected that they will carry some fatigue into Wednesday's match too, and Klopp is being smart with his rotation, especially now that the Premier League title race has been blown wide open.
City lost 3-2 to Tottenham, meaning that if Liverpool win their game in hand on the league leaders, they will only be three points behind them as the title race takes another turn.
Liverpool also still have to face City before the end of the season, meaning the pair could go toe-to-toe for the title just as they did during the 2018/19 season, when it went down to the final day.
The Reds got their chance to win their first ever Premier League title the following season, but Klopp would love to add another crown to his growing collection of trophies at the club.
