Europa League news: Napoli vs Liverpool, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres rested
Liverpool travel to Italy to take on Napoli knowing that a win over their hosts will ensure them top spot in Group K. Napoli are second place in the group, only two points behind the Reds and tonight’s match may very well decide
who finishes top of the group.
So far Liverpool have a win and a draw; a convincing win over Steaua Bucuresti and a draw against a determined Utrecht side. The Reds will be hoping they can return to winning ways rather than share the points once again.
However, this time Roy Hodgson’s side will be without a few key players; Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, both will be rested for the weekend clash against Blackburn. Liverpool have had a very poor start to the English Premier
League and are currently in the bottom half.
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson admitted that his side had to improve their performance domestically and for that he was resting Captain Steven Gerrard and star striker Fernando Torres. He insisted that he had little choice but to rotate
the squad, especially with the lack of depth currently available to him.
He said, “I’ll leave some players out – that’s for sure. Some of the more important senior players won’t travel because their participation on Sunday is going to be so important to us. It’s not just a question of playing three
matches in a week it’s also a question of injury. I don’t think our squad is so strong that I can afford to risk them.”
However, Hodgson was confident that he was putting forward a strong team against the Italian side. He said this was an opportunity for some of the players to prove themselves. He was of course referring to David N’Gog and Ryan
Babel; both are excellent but have yet to establish themselves.
The Reds will also be without Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger, who are out with injury and illness. Their return is uncertain and will remain sidelined most likely for the weekend fixture as well. Christian Poulsen returns after
recovering from a virus and will most probably start on the bench tonight.
Jamie Carragher defended Hodgson’s decision to rest players, he said, “Steven and Fernando are not here but you have to understand that these days it is a long season and you need a big squad and they are players that have played
through summers for years on end.”
The home side is the obvious favourite in this fixture. Apart from the injured Cristiano Lucarelli, manager Walter Mazzarri has a full squad to pick from. He will undoubtedly pick a strong side to go against the weakened English
side, his attack led by Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Napoli have yet to win in the Europa League, having drawn both their games so far; against Utrecht and Steaua. This would give Liverpool confidence going into the match, however, the Italian side has an impressive record in their
domestic league, maintaining fourth place in the Serie A.
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