Liverpool rest six first-team players for Europa League opener

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that six first-team players, including Christian Benteke, will not play a part in this evening's Europa League match against Bordeaux in France.

As well as Benteke, the Premier League outfit have left behind James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne, Martin Skrtel, Lucas Leiva and Dejan Lovren.

Yesterday, Rodgers confirmed in a press conference that defender Mamadou Sakho, who is yet to play in a competitive game this season, and striker Divock Origi will start the game against Ligue 1 opposition.

"My approach is what I did in this competition when I first came in - we played players who were needing games and it gives me a chance to look at some younger players and back then we finished top of the group," Rodgers told reporters.

"We will pick a team to win the game. At this stage for me it is really about trying to get a performance level as consequently that will lead to us getting consistent results."

Liverpool will also be without captain Jordan Henderson, who travelled to the US this week to have injections in his foot with the hope of curing a persistent heel problem.