The Northern Irishman stopped short of saying a lack of distractions will aid his side’s title tilt but believes a less congested fixture list will improve their fitness

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes his side could benefit from not featuring in any cup competitions at the latter end of the season.

The Reds have been eliminated from both the Capital One Cup and the FA Cup, while his side failed to qualify for European football last season. 

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has previously commented that it could stand Liverpool in good stead when it comes to challenging for the Premier League.

While Rodgers did not suggest it would help contribute towards a title tilt, he does expect to be beneficial for fitness preparation, as well as ensuring players remain focused on one challenge at a time. 

“Ideally, we would have more games and be in more competitions but it gives us a chance to make sure that players fitness levels are correct,” the Northern Irishman told reporters.

“We can taper the week in terms of focusing in on the one game. But for us we are very determined and I have said before it is just about narrowing the focus in onto each and every one of these games and looking to be at out maximum.”

Fourth-placed Liverpool, who host Rodgers’ former club Swansea City on Sunday, have lost just once at home in the top flight this season – a 1-0 defeat to Southampton in September. 

Rodgers credited the fast-paced starts his side make to games, similar to the one that saw them go 4-0 up on Arsenal after 20 minutes earlier this month, as a big reason for their form at Anfield. 

“Going into every game we’ve started well. If you align that with the support that we have got, which is remarkable, that’s really helped us with this home form,” he explained. 

“If you’re going to be successful that’s going to be vital for you, so we’re looking to create that not just for now, but for the future as well.”

Daniel Sturridge will become only the second player in Premier League history after Ruud van Nistelrooy to score in eight consecutive games if he finds the net for Liverpool against Swansea City on Sunday.

The former Manchester United striker currently holds the record for the longest Premier League scoring streak – a run of 10 games between March 2003 and August 2003 – but Sturridge is closing in on the Dutchman’s achievement and could equal it at Old Trafford March 16.

Ahead of the fixture at Anfield, Liverpool sit fourth in the table, four points behind leaders Chelsea with 12 games remaining.

And should Liverpool secure Champions League football this season, manager Brendan Rodgers believes the club have the ability to compete with the strongest clubs in the competition.

“Yes, I would have confidence in saying that,” said Rodgers.

“Our performances and results have shown that. Even in the cup game last week you look at the reaction from Arsenal. You could sense that they felt they were playing against a very good side.

“I spoke to Arsene after the game. He and his staff said they felt we were the most dangerous attacking team they had played all season, which is a great compliment when you think of some of the games they have played in.

“I didn’t go to any of the games in midweek but I watched it all. I have certainly been to a few over the course of the season, such as Schalke against Basle in Germany and some of the games here in England.

“I think we have shown in our performance level that we are as good as any of the [English] sides this season. We just need to do it over the next 12 games and prove it on the field.

“If we do that it will take us to that level. It is a competition that this club has a wonderful history in. It’s a level that we want to get back to.”

Glen Johnson (ankle) is back in contention for the first time since mid-January, but Lucas Leiva (knee), Mamadou Sakho (hamstring) and Jose Enrique (knee) remain unavailable.

For the visitors, Michu could return, although the Spain international was unable to make the squad for Europa League stalemate at home to Napoli on Thursday after suffering soreness in an ankle that was operated on in December.

Pablo Hernandez, Jonjo Shelvey and Nathan Dyer both came off during that match, and Swansea will hope to have both fit for Sunday.

The full-back has been absent since suffering an ankle problem against Aston Villa but is in line for a first team return as the Reds line up against Swansea this weekend

Liverpool are set to welcome full-back Glen Johnson back into their squad for Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Swansea City.

The England international has missed the past month due to an ankle injury sustained in the 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa, with manager Brendan Rodgers saying at the time that Johnson would miss an “indefinite” amount of time.

But Johnson is in contention to feature against Garry Monk’s men at Anfield this weekend.

“Glen has been back training,” Rodgers said.

“According to him, he has felt as good as he has done for a long time – which is great. He has looked very good in training and he’ll come into the squad.”

Midfielder Lucas Leiva and centre-back Mamadou Sakho are also nearing returns from knee and hamstring injuries respectively, but Jose Enrique has travelled to America in order to get specialist advice on his knee complaint.

Rodgers added: “Lucas Leiva is recovering very well but not in the squad.

“Sakho is still probably a week or so away, but he’s back on the field now with the rehabilitation team and working well.

“Jose Enrique has been out in America. We’re looking to try to put an end to his injuries this season.

“We have sent him out to get some specialist advice on that. But he’s nowhere near playing yet.”

Liverpool’s January transfer target Yevhen Konoplyanka scored the winning goal in Dnipro’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham in the Europa League on Thursday.

Rodgers was asked whether he would renew his interest in the winger in the close-season, but the Liverpool boss kept his cards close to his chest.

“We’ve got lots of people that were looking at,” he continued.

“We’ll assess where we are at the end of the season and take it from there.”