CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe insisted he would be "foolish" not to tinker with his starting XI and admitted no player was safe.

Howe made five changes for the home clash with Southampton at the start of December and brought in four new faces for the trip to Manchester United on Wednesday.

England striker Jermain Defoe – who hit two goals against Crystal Palace four days earlier – was among those to lose his starting berth.

And Howe revealed how his approach to an eight-game December had been coloured by the lessons of campaigns past.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's home clash with Liverpool (4.30pm), he said: "These games are different to the early season. They are bunched very tightly together and I would be foolish to pick the same team week in, week out.

"I don't think it's physically possible to go again and again with the same players.

"There was a spell of games last season where we went with the same team. That was something we had always done in the Championship and in the third or fourth game, we were flat.

"We produced a poor performance and had players waiting on the bench who probably could have done better due to their physical condition.

"I'm looking at all sorts of factors. How players train, what their attitude is to training and being left out and if they show me their attitude, I'm quite prepared to rotate the squad.

"I don't think it's ever been the case that anyone is safe under my management or any other management. Players have to perform to play more football.

"We have the strongest squad I've ever had so I think I've got to utilise it, without making too many changes and affecting the balance of the team.

"A lot of what we do is based on partnerships and it's important we don't lose that.

"But I you also have to take into account you are seeking results and a formula which works. We will continue to adapt to find the one we feel is the right one."

Howe admitted the experienced Defoe had been selected on the bench against United for tactical rather than fitness reasons.

The boss said: "It definitely wasn't a fitness issue. We do change and tweak for certain opposition, I don't think I've ever hidden that fact.

"Every game in the Premier League is different and you have to have an individual plan for individual games.

"I was really pleased with Jermain against Crystal Palace, it certainly wasn't a reflection on his performance because he was excellent that day and is going to have a huge part to play in our season."

Howe reported no new injury problems ahead of the visit of Jurgen Klopp's side. Defender Tyrone Mings has seen a specialist but is set to seek a second opinion before the club decides how best to treat his nagging back problem.