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Brendan Rodgers insists Victor Moses still has a role to play in Liverpool FC’s pursuit of Champions League football following frank discussions with the on-loan Chelsea winger this week.

The Reds boss sat down with the Nigeria international at Melwood to explain his reasons for substituting him at half-time of last Sunday’s FA Cup win over Oldham.

It was only Moses’ second start since October and the paucity of his contribution sparked talk of the Reds looking to cut short his stay.

However, Rodgers is adamant the 23-year-old is going nowhere and is expects Moses to force his way back into the side.

“There will be no cancelling the loan,” Rodgers told the ECHO.

“Victor and I have spoken a couple of times this week and I explained my reasons for taking him off.

“He has been excellent since then. I have seen a real marked difference in terms of his performance.

“I’ve been pleased with his response. He has made it very clear he loves it here – despite one or two stories I’ve heard.

“I know the player and he wants to show he can help the team. He wants to show he can play games.”

Rodgers believes it’s simply a case of Moses coming to terms to what’s expected from him at Anfield.

“It’s not easy when you come to a big club,” he added.

“You come from a really good club like Chelsea to a massive club like Liverpool where there is expectancy every day.

“For any player to go into a big club is a huge difference in terms of mentality.

“Victor came in and started very well and then he was out of the team.“He knows the intensity and speed we’re trying to work at here – both with and without the ball. That takes a wee bit of time to adapt to.

“He’s a talent and you don’t lose that talent. In order to get success you need confidence, and confidence comes from hard work. That’s something he’s aiming to work at.

“He’s a good kid and I’m delighted to have him here. I’ve got no doubt that over the course of time here he will show his talent. I still expect him to make a big contribution in the second half of the season.”

After a gruelling festive programme, Rodgers gave his players some time off this week to rest ahead of Sunday’s return to Premier League action at Stoke City.

The squad reconvened at Melwood on Thursday to start preparing for the trip to the Britannia Stadium.

“The players put in a tremendous amount of work over that block of games leading up to Christmas and over the new year period,” Rodgers said.

“They sacrificed everything for the results and we had some very good performances. We picked up nine points out of 15 and got through a tough game in the Cup.

“It was important for them to physically and mentally recover. Some of them were off Monday/Tuesday and those who had played all the games over Christmas were off for an extra day on Wednesday too. It gave them the chance to recharge.

“It’s something I believe should happen anyway in this country. After the FA Cup third round would be a good time for all clubs to have a break of a week to 10 days to allow players to recover.

“It’s not a holiday period, it’s a recovery period. You only have to look at the statistics of all the injuries clubs have to realise the importance of giving players that recovery time.

“Everyone came back refreshed and we’ve had enough time to prepare for Sunday’s game.”