Was Liverpool's starting XI right for Real Madrid test?

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti wasn't the only person to raise an eyebrow at Liverpool's starting line-up on Tuesday evening as Brendan Rodgers named a second-string side for the tough trip to Real Madrid.

Steven Gerrard was left on the bench along with Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and summer signings Dejan Lovren and Mario Balotelli. This wasn't one eye on Saturday's clash with Chelsea, Rodgers was struck with tunnel vision.

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There is certainly logic to the manager's gamble. After watching a full strength team, excluding Daniel Sturridge, be comprehensively outclassed in a 3-0 defeat at Anfield two weeks ago the chances of victory, or even a draw, were always slim. And perhaps the 1-0 defeat will turn out to be inconsequential - surely Real will gain maximum points against Basel and Ludogorets in their final two group matches, leaving the other three teams in a dogfight for second place.

But it is still difficult to shake the feeling that Rodgers made an error of judgement, despite Liverpool's reserves giving a good account of themselves. "Every single game at this level is massive when you're Liverpool manager," he said before the match. "If it's a defining game for me then great." Despite his optimism, he may not be so happy about the definition many have in mind.

There is a thin line between bravery and folly in football, and Rodgers left himself open to interpretation with his bold call on Tuesday. Were the game not driven by emotion, then his logic would prevail. But the manager's thought process is likely to fall on deaf ears when explained to the Liverpool fans who made an expensive journey to cheer on a League Cup XI. They paid to see the stars, but were left watching the best efforts of the 'B' team.

The reaction of the supporters is not the only thing Rodgers has to worry about. After their impressive efforts last season to help the club return to the Champions League for the first time in five years, the likes of Gerrard, Sterling, Henderson and Glen Johnson would expect to enjoy the fruits of their labour. Instead, they were left to watch Fabio Borini, who spent last year at Sunderland, and a host of youngsters savour the occasion. After playing 120 minutes against Middlesbrough in September, it must have been a bitter pill for Sterling to swallow.

The 19-year-old was introduced to loud cheers from the travelling support in the second half, along with Gerrard, but it was too late to reverse Rodgers' decision. The manager was pleased with a positive performance at full time but, perhaps rather perversely, the nature of Liverpool's narrow 1-0 defeat may have piled on more pressure - just what could the Reds have achieved against a somewhat out-of-sorts Real Madrid had Sterling and Co been on the pitch from the start?

In truth, whether Rodgers' gamble is actually meaningful or not doesn't really matter. As is often the case in football, how it is perceived will decide if the manager escapes with his reputation intact or is forever accused of forfeiting Liverpool's biggest game of the season. Even if it the result proves to be inconsequential, there are some who will still remember Rodgers as the man who picked a reserve team against Real Madrid.

While Rodgers deserves some credit for his gutsy selection, there is something strange about putting in all that effort to qualify, and then choosing not to enjoy the moment when it comes for fear of not reaching it again next year. Instead of resting his star players in Spain, a better break for Liverpool's leading line-up might have been telling them to enjoy the product of their hard work, bottle up that feeling of playing the Champions League holders, and make sure they give everything to get back there next year. In that respect, perhaps this was an opportunity missed.