Tony Barratt, Merseyside football writer for The Times, says Brendan Rodgers' outburst following Liverpool's FA Cup defeat at Oldham took him by surprise and claims and it is a tactic designed to fire up his players.

Barratt also says Sebastian Coates' disappointing display against the Latics was down to his lack of game time, and hails the form of captain Steven Gerrard, claiming the 32-year-old has been the club's best player over the last six weeks.