With Torres, Gerrard and Carragher remaining on Merseyside, Liverpool travel to Romania intent on securing maximum points from Thursday’s Europa League trip to Steaua Bucarest, kick-off at 18:00 hours (GMT). Earlier in the week Hodgson confirmed Fernando would be rested for the midweek match in an interview with Liverpool FC TV. "Torres won't travel. I can leave maybe as many as six or seven players who I expect to start against Aston Villa out of the team.”

In addition to his number ‘9’ and his two club captains, Roy Hodgson has also left Kuyt and Meireles in England for the penultimate round of matches in Group K. The Kop boss however hopes that his young guns will help the Reds into the next round with a game to spare. "I have faith in the young players and whatever happens on Thursday night I won't lose faith in them."

A point for the Merseysiders would be enough to see them through, but the Reds will be looking for their first win on the road in this season’s Europa League after draws away to Napoli and Utrecht.

Steaua are the most successful team in Romanian football with one European Cup, one European Super Cup, 23 Romanian League titles, 20 National Cups and 5 Romanian Super Cups. Last season however the Romanian giants could only finish fourth in the league, seven points behind champions CFR Cluj.

After a defeat on matchday one away to Liverpool, Steaua Bucarest, have recovered to climb up to second in the table. The side coached by Ilie Dumitrescu are now in control of their own destiny and a victory would see the Romanians leap-frog the Reds at the summit of Group K.

Steaua Bucharest arrive for Thursday’s match on the back of a 2-2 draw with CFR Cluj, a result that leaves them seventh in the league, ten points behind leaders Otelul Galati.

In the first encounter at Anfield, Steaua’s Tanase cancelled out Cole’s first minute strike, but after the break David Ngog from the spot and a brilliant goal from Leiva sealed victory, before the French forward got his second of the evening in injury time.