Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool's attacking stars Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane that he won’t play favourites as he looks to make use of the constantly improving depth at his disposal.
The Reds wrapped up a 3-1 win over Cardiff in the FA Cup without their two most prolific attacking players, who were lining up against each other in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Mane came away with the bragging rights from that contest after he scored the decisive penalty for Senegal in a shootout success against Salah's Egypt.
Back on Merseyside, Luis Diaz caught the eye in their fourth-round win over Cardiff with an assist for Takumi Minamino's goal while Harvey Elliott marked his return after five months out injured with superb strike.
With the AFCON now complete Mane and Salah will make their way back to Liverpool but Klopp has warned the pair, plus Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota, that competition for places is now red hot.
Klopp said: “These boys, over the last few years, did an absolutely incredible job without competition in different positions; they stretched their limits, it’s absolutely unbelievable the development they had.
“That means now that the boys have to deal with competition, that’s the job they have to do.
“First line-up, run your socks off and play as good as you can for as long as you can. If you can’t do it anymore, another player has to be there to replace you and do the same job - if possible, even better because he is fresher. That’s the idea behind it.
“The season is really long and we suffered so much from injuries in the last few years and hopefully it will not be the case anymore. But, if it happens, we should be better prepared.
“If there is a player who can play the same position as yourself in quite an impressive way: yeah, you better perform.
“Because my job is not to stick with the boys - as much as I like them, as much as I owe them, as much as we went through together - my job is to line up the best team for today, not for yesterday.
“The more top-class options we have, the better it is for the club.”
Elliott said it was a "dream come true" to be back on the pitch at Anfield after a lengthy spell on the sidelines our injured before he hailed new boy Diaz as a "world class" signing for the Reds.
"You could see that he's got exceptional talent. He's a top guy as well," Elliott said of Diaz.
"We're all around him, supporting him and we're all there if he needs it. I'm sure he'll show what he's about.
"He showed glimpses. To come on next to him, it's a proud moment for myself as well because, in my opinion, he's a world-class player and he's only going to get better here playing for Liverpool, playing in front of these fans.
"I'm sure he'll go on and show the world what he's capable of doing."
