Preview: Anzhi Makhachkala vs. Liverpool

Liverpool travel to Russia for their second Europa League group match against Anzhi Makhachkala on Thursday with the Reds keen to extend their lead at the top of Group A.

The Merseyside outfit head into the contest with a two-point lead over their Russian opponents and Italian outfit Udinese, while Young Boys occupy the bottom spot in the standings with just three points.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is expected to ring the changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday as captain Steven Gerrard and striker Luis Suarez are expected to be rested.

The Reds, who secured a 1-0 win over Anzhi at Anfield, could line up with youngsters Dani Pacheco and Suso, while Stewart Downing and Jamie Carragher should return to the starting XI.

Meanwhile, Samuel Eto'o and Fedor Smolov could lead the line for the home side as manager Guus Hiddink tries to overturn his side's earlier defeat to the Merseyside outfit.

Recent form:

Anzhi: WWLLW

Liverpool: WWDLD

Possible lineups:

Anzhi: Gabulov; Samba, Chaves, Boussoufa, Agalarov; Shatov, Carcela, Zhirkov, Gabulov; Eto'o, Smolov

Liverpool: Jones; Wisdom, Carragher, Coates, Robinson; Henderson, Shelvey, Assaidi; Downing, Pacheco, Suso

Sports Mole says: 0-2