Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers challenges Brad Jones to pressure Pepe Reina - Telegraph.co.uk

"The guy has hardly played since he's been here and then obviously he got a run out towards the end of last season.

"Pepe is a top goalkeeper, but this gives Brad the chances he's always been waiting for to get a run of games and prove he can play. Hopefully it will give me a big decision to make."

Despite Reina being named on the bench for the Merseyside derby at Goodison, Rodgers insists he was only selected as a last option due to third-choice keeper Peter Gulacsi being unable to play.

Rodgers said: "He (Reina) is not fit, so we will see how he is leading up to the weekend.

"It was a real minor strain he had when he came back to us late last week, but we had to put him on the bench because young Peter Gulacsi hurt his hand and wasn't fit enough to be on the bench.

"Pepe is still getting treatment now and we will see how it goes over the next 72 hours."

Rodgers, who left Swansea for the Liverpool job in the summer, faces his former club for the first time when Michael Laudrup's team visit Anfield tonight.

And although Liverpool go into the game as the holders of the Capital One Cup, Rodgers admits he will use it to hand opportunities to fringe players, including former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, who has made just three appearances this season.

"Joe will be in the squad." Rodgers said. "It's been difficult for him. He worked hard throughout pre-season, then he got injured and others have come in and done well, so I'm not going to throw them to the garbage because a senior player is available again.

"But it's an opportunity for Joe to come in and prove himself. He's worked hard, there are no complaints there, and he's very keen to be a success at Liverpool. We will take it from there.

"He knows I respect players and I always judge in the present. He doesn't want to be picked on anything that he's done before, it's about where we are in terms of form now that is important. But Joe loves his training, loves playing games and wants an opportunity to show his qualities and that he has a future here."