Rodgers warns duo

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has warned some of his senior players they may have to fight to save their Anfield careers.

The Northern Irishman who took charge of the Reds during the close season has been less than satisfied with the performances of both Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique. Both players were brought in under former manager Kenny Dalglish with Downing becoming the fourth most expensive signing for the club when he joined from Aston Villa for £20 million. However, he has never really got going for the Anfield club and has been told by his manager that he may have to reinvent himself as a left-back. Enrique made a good start to life with Liverpool after moving from Newcastle for £7million but a string of injuries have left him sidelined and only given a bit-part role under the former Swansea man. Rodgers has questioned their desire and self-motivation, two qualities he holds highly and any team member not committed to the cause will be moved on. "We will give them everything to help them to be better, but if they don't want to show that self-motivation - and if they haven't got that desire and hunger to succeed - then it can be very difficult. Stewart is a good guy but it hasn't quite worked out for him as he would want it," said Rodgers in the Daily Mail. "The big challenge for him now is that commitment to the cause - to fight - because he has the qualities. Talent alone is not enough. You have to work hard; you have to fight for the shirt. I will keep private the discussions Stewart and I have had but he is under no illusion that he has to fight."