Brendan Rodgers has omitted several first-team regulars from Liverpool’s Europa League trip to Bordeaux as he seeks to limit its impact on Sunday’s pressured Premier League game against Norwich City.
Six of the team that started Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Manchester United have not travelled for Liverpool’s opening Group B fixture in France. Christian Benteke, Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, James Milner, Lucas Leiva and Nathaniel Clyne have stayed on Merseyside, and Jordan Henderson remains absent with a heel injury that has required treatment in the United States this week.
Philippe Coutinho, who was suspended for the Old Trafford loss, and Adam Lallana, who has missed the past three games with a thigh problem, have been included.
The absence of Rodgers’ first-choice centre-backs is likely to see Mamadou Sakho make his first appearance of the season alongside Kolo Touré at Stade de Bordeaux with Alberto Moreno at left-back. Benteke’s omission creates an opportunity for the former Lille striker Divock Origi or Danny Ings to lead the Liverpool attack with Daniel Sturridge still working his way back from a hip operation.
The academy graduates Jordan Rossiter, Connor Randall, Cameron Brannagan and Dan Cleary are also in a Liverpool squad that reflects the importance of Norwich’s visit to Anfield this weekend. Successive league defeats by West Ham and Manchester United plus several underwhelming performances have increased scrutiny on Rodgers before the Norwich game, although the Liverpool manager also needs to convince in Europe following last season’s disappointments.
Liverpool won only two of eight European fixtures last term – at home to Ludogorets in the Champions League and Besiktas in the Europa League – as they exited both tournaments at the first hurdle.
