Kick off: 6 pm
Liverpool travel to Romania for their penultimate fixture of the group stages of the Europa League to face Steaua Bucharest, aiming to progress to the next round. The Reds will qualify for the last 32 if they can claim at least a point.
Roy Hodgson has indicated that he will start with young Danny Wilson alongside Sotirios Kyrgiakos at the heart of defense, along with Martin Kelly and Fabio Aurelio as full backs. The gaffer has opted to rest the likes of Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Raul Meireles, Glen Johnson, Maxi Rodrigues and Paul Konchesky ahead of the Premier League tie against Aston Villa at Anfield.
Joe Cole makes his long awaited return to the side after tweaking his hamstring during the 1-0 win at the Reebok stadium on 31 October.
With recent reports in the media suggesting that Dani Pacheco is unhappy under Roy Hodgson and is pushing for a move to Spanish side Malaga, the inclusion of the talented young Spaniard will be welcomed by all Liverpool fans. Reserves right back John Flanagan is part of the first team for the first time, while Jack Robinson, Liverpool’s youngest ever player who made his last appearance against Hull City on the final day of last season also makes the cut.
Martin Skrtel is in contention to make his 100th appearance for Liverpool while Pepe Reina is expected to captain the side in the absence of Steven Gerrard, who is expected to return for the Premier League clash against Newcastle at St James’ Park, and Jamie Carragher who unfortunately will be out for about 3 months after he dislocated his shoulder in the 2-1 loss to Tottenham on Sunday.
The squad in full is: Pepe Reina, Brad Jones, Martin Hansen, Fabio Aurelio, Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Ryan Babel, Lucas, Danny Wilson, Christian Poulsen, Jonjo Shelvey, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Pacheco, David Ngog, Martin Kelly, Nathan Eccleston, John Flanagan, Jack Robinson
Predicted lineup: Reina(C), Kelly, Wilson, Soto, Aurelio, Jovanovic, Poulsen, Shelvey, Babel, Cole, Ngog
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