Liverpool will field a near second-string side for their Europa League Group A opener with Swiss side Young Boys in Bern on Thursday, with one eye on the clash with Manchester United this weekend. Captain Steven Gerrard, goalkeeper Jose Reina, striker Luis Suarez, first-choice defenders Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Welsh international midfield playmaker Joe Allen have all remained behind on Merseyside.
The Reds could field unfamiliar names such as Samed Yesil, the 18-year-old German-born teenage striker signed from Bayer Leverkusen who could make his debut, although defensive stalwart Jamie Carragher will add experience.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United have left strikers Papiss Cisse and the unsettled Demba Ba behind as they head for Madeira and their Europa League Group D encounter with Maritimo Funchal.
Cisse was withdrawn from the squad because of illness and his place was taken by 17-year-old Adam Campbell.
There was no sign either of Ba, 24 hours after his agent criticised manager Alan Pardew’s decision to only name him among the substitutes for Monday’s 2-2 draw at Everton.
There were no places in the squad for midfielders Yohan Cabaye and Jonas Gutierrez, while goalkeeper Tim Krul, defenders Danny Simpson, Fabricio Coloccini and Ryan Taylor and midfielder Cheick Tiote are all out injured.
