With Luis Suarez joining Real Madrid's rivals Barcelona for £75m, and Daniel Sturridge struggling with some nagging injury problems, this season always looked like a tricky assignment for Brendan Rodgers.

It's not been a disaster - in fact Sunday's crazy win at QPR left the Reds in fifth place in the Premier League - but they have rarely played well, and certainly not scaled the heights of six months ago.

And then there's Mario Balotelli...

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It's been a tough few months for Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

Six months ago his side were five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with three games to go.

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Six months ago he had Luis Suarez in the form of his life; the Uruguayan had scored 30 goals in 30 league games and was looking like one of the world's best players.

Six months ago he had Daniel Sturridge in the role of Suarez's co-pilot, banging in goals for fun, full of vim and vigour and right on his A game.

Six months ago Steven Gerrard was ready to lift the league trophy.

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But tonight he has no Premier League winners' medal, no Suarez, no Sturridge, five wins in 11 games this season and a visit from Real Madrid to worry about. Our thoughts are with you Brendan...