Rabotnicki v Liverpool preview

Hodgson likely to give youth players a chance

By Mike Barton   Last updated: 30th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rabotnicki v Liverpool preview

Hodgson: Left stars behind

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Liverpool begin their season early with an away tie against Macedonian minnows Rabotnicki in the Europa League third qualifying round on Thursday.

It is certainly a far cry from the glamourous locations of Camp Nou and the San Siro they have become so used to in the UEFA Champions League over recent years, but this is a match they must win all the same.

New manager Roy Hodgson will be desperate to get things off to a good start in his first competitive fixture since leaving Fulham to take over from Rafa Benitez.

The 62-year-old has taken plenty of positives in his first month in charge, landing Joe Cole on a free transfer and seemingly set to hold on to Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres for another year, despite midfielder Javier Mascherano stating he wants to leave the club.

All of these players will not feature in the game in Skopje following their World Cup excursions, but Hodgson is likely to have faith in whatever side he fields to beat a team that have never been beyond this stage in their history.

Martin Skrtel, Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Daniel Agger have all travelled with the squad, with all potential candidates to take over the captaincy from Lucas, who has been skipper in the club's pre-season friendlies.

Stars stay home

England quartet Gerrard, Cole, Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson have not travelled, whilst Mascherano, Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Pepe Reina and Maxi Rodriguez have also been left behind.

Alberto Aquilani is likely to be available after recovering from a knee problem, and Hodgson may put his faith in youth after bringing Jonjo Shelvey, Nathan Eccleston, Martin Hansen, Peter Gulacsi, David Amoo, Lauri Dalla Valle and Tom Ince in the 20-man party.

Rabotnicki have a side mostly made up of native players and Brazilian imports, with midfielder Bobi Bozinovski their danger man with 15 goals for the club last season.

Speaking of the game, Rabotnicki coach Zoran Stratev insisted that they had nothing to fear against the five-time European champions.

"We know Liverpool are a better team but we are ready to play for our country and for ourselves and to show the world we know how to play football.

"There is no reason for us to be afraid; we do not have anything to lose.

"I am expecting a wonderful match and I believe the players are ready to give it their best.

"After the match we will see if we have done enough to get a result. We expect a wonderful atmosphere at the stadium."