Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been tipped to rest a number of his senior players for the Europa League visit of Anzhi Makhachkala on Thursday evening with the upcoming Merseyside derby in mind.

The likes of Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel are all expected to be given the night off, which could see Jamie Carragher, Sebastian Coates and Jordan Henderson all called up.

However, Luis Suarez is thought to have had his named penned into the starting lineup because of Liverpool's lack of striking options.

Visiting Anzhi should include former Premier League duo Christopher Samba and Yuriy Zhirkov in their team. Former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o is also likely to lead their attack.

The hosting Reds head into the match having only won six matches at Anfield in 2012. None of those successes have come in European competitions.

Recent form

Liverpool: WDLWW

Anzhi: WWWWD

Possible starting lineups:

Liverpool: Jones; Wisdom, Carragher, Coates, Enrique; Henderson, Sahin, Shelvey, Downing, Assaidi; Suarez

Anzhi: Gabulov; Agalarov, Samba, Tagirbekov, Zhirkov; Jucilei, Shatov, Carcela-Gonzales; Bousouffa, Traore, Eto'o

Sports Mole says: 1-1

Previews by email