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FOWLER BACKS ROTATION POLICY

LIVERPOOL striker Robbie Fowler feels that Gerard Houllier's much maligned squad roatation system is playing a vital role in the side's success this season as they still chase glory on three fronts.

With the Worthington Cup safely in the Anfield trophy room, an FA Cup final place booked against Arsenal and the second leg of their Uefa Cup semi-final with Barcelona to look forward to next week - the Reds switch their attentions back to the league with three Premiership games in the next six days, starting with Ipswch Town on Tuesday night.

Fowler, who at the start of the season found himself a victim of the squad rotation, feels that Houllier's use of his large squad is the main reason for Liverpool challenging for honours this season on four fronts.

The England striker, who is not sure of playing at Portman Road, knows that his side face a demanding programme over the next 10 days, but he believes that their busy schedule shows they have been successful.

"The sign of a really successful team is to see them playing a lot of games," said Fowler.

"You certainly won't find the players here moaning as it just shows that we are making good progress.

"We feel fresh and you have to credit the manager. If you look at our team, then you will see that the one that played against Wycombe was totally different from the one that played against Barcelona last week.

"I would expect the one that turns out against Ipswich in the Premiership to be as different again. It will be changed and the players know and accept that," added Fowler.

Nick Barmby, who misses the game at Portman Road with an ankle injury, has declared that the FA's refusal to move the game back a day to allow Liverpool more time to recover from their FA Cup semi-final win on Sunday will not effect his team-mates.

"You see it every day in training and then in every match ," said Barmby."We are a very focused group.

"It is ridiculous that we have to play this game on a Tuesday night but we will get on with it without moaning about it.

"We asked the question and they turned us down and now we move on. That is all we can do.

"We are still confident that we can win. We are gaining confidence with every game and we have got that winning mentality now. We believe that we can beat absolutely anybody."