Brendan Rodgers has suggested the threadbare nature of his Liverpool squad

Brendan Rodgers has suggested the threadbare nature of his Liverpool squad is the reason behind his decision to take a string of youngsters for their Europa League clash with Young Boys.

GettyImagesBrendan Rodgers: Keen to avoid injuries

Rodgers endured a frustrating summer, with players such as Dirk Kuyt and Andy Carroll moving on without being adequately replaced. The Reds have made a poor start to the Premier League season and face a real test against Manchester United at the weekend.

With that game in mind, Rodgers has drafted in the likes of Samed Yesil, Suso, Conor Coady, Andre Wisdom, Adam Morgan, Peter Gulacsi and Dani Pacheco for the trip to Switzerland.

Rodgers is confident the youngsters can cut it at the highest level and has challenged them to take their chance, while admitting his focus is the Premier League.

Germany youth international Samed Yesil could be thrust into the Liverpool first team ahead of schedule

Germany youth international Samed Yesil could be thrust into the Liverpool first team ahead of schedule for Thursday's Europa League clash with Young Boys in Switzerland.

EmpicsSamed Yesil celebrates an international goal

Yesil, 18, was plucked from Bayer Leverkusen last month for a fee believed to be in the region of £1 million and was expected to be a development player.

But with Liverpool short of striking options following the departures of Andy Caroll and Dirk Kuyt over the summer, manager Brendan Rodgers could choose to rotate his squad and give Yessil his bow.

Europa League group stage : Liverpool - Group A

Liverpool and Tottenham both face testing Italian examinations, while Newcastle have a tough French encounter to negotiate after the draw was made for the Europa League group stage.

Brendan Rodgers' side were handed a tricky draw involving Udinese, big-spending Anzhi Makhachkala and Swiss outfit Young Boys. Liverpool qualified for the group stage following a 1-1 draw with Hearts on Thursday.

Tottenham will meet Lazio, Panathinaikos and Maribor, while Newcastle face collisions with Bordeaux, Club Brugge and Maritimo.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has declared that winger Raheem Stirling

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has declared that winger Raheem Stirling has a "big future" at the club after impressing in the Reds' 1-0 Europa League victoryover Hearts.

Raheem Sterling impressed for Liverpool against Hearts

Sterling, 17, joined the club from QPR's youth set-up in 2010 and has emerged as one of Liverpool's most promising young players in recent years.

The Jamaica-born winger was the star performer as Brendan Rodgers' side toiled for a narrow victory on Thursday, with Andy Webster's 79th-minute own goal giving the Reds an advantage for next Thursday's second leg at Anfield.

Liverpool Match of the day : Liverpool 1:0 Gomel - "Reds" Liverpool.

"Reds" Liverpool. Europa League debut game this season and officially. However, it must exert a lot after his visit to Melbourne in the Belarusian team. At first I was very close to Stewart Downing's shot on goal to win 1-0.

Football Europa League third qualifying round first match.

In the Centralia

Thursday August 2, 2012.
Liverpool 1:0 Gomel. 



Goals: 0-1 minutes 67 Downing.

Brendan Rodgers has moved to calm speculation over Daniel Agger's future after the Denmark...

Brendan Rodgers has moved to calm speculation over Daniel Agger's future after the Denmark centre-back was absent from Liverpool's Europa League victory over Gomel on Thursday.

PA PhotosDaniel Agger is reported to be attracting interest from Manchester City and Barcelona

Speculation linking Manchester City and Barcelona with a move for Agger grew when the 27-year-old failed to make the squad for the trip to Belarus, with the player's agent, Per Steffensen, tellingPolitiken: "He is not injured in any way. Only the club and the manager can answer why he is not in the squad."

However, Steffensen also said Agger was "very happy" at Anfield and described as "utter nonsense" claims that he had put in a transfer request, while Rodgers stressed that his omission had been motivated by the player's previous injury problems.

"The plan was always for Daniel to stay behind," Rodgers said. "Everyone knows his history of injuries. He came back to pre-season training after everyone else and is still not up to speed.

"He is fit, but I have to make sure he is up to speed before he plays, because everyone knows his history with injuries."

Agger, under contract with Liverpool until 2014, had indicated last month that he was prepared to discuss a new deal with the Reds.

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has been left out of the trip to Belarus for Thursday's Europa League qualifier against FC Gomel

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has been left out of the trip to Belarus for Thursday's Europa League qualifier against FC Gomel, despite being named in the squad.

APAndy Carroll gives the thumbs up during Liverpool's American tour

The news comes amid unrelenting rumours linking him with a displace to Author Ham or City. Westbound Ham had a word bid received for Carroll - which would see them pay £2 million for a period and then device him on a £16 1000000 perm trade in the season - but he was initially disinclined to juncture the Hammers, as he wants to recreation in Indweller competition.

City, who Author unexhausted for City at a expenditure of £35 million in January 2011, would fit the saw after their stun run to fifth in the Premier Association finally period - and they jazz let strikers Apostle Lovenkrands and City Top change in past weeks.