Liverpool striker Christian Benteke is one of a number of big names manager Brendan Rodgers is resting for their Europa League opener in Bordeaux.

The summer signing has been left behind on Merseyside along with fellow new arrivals James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne, plus first-choice centre-backs Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren and midfielder Lucas Leiva.

That means Mamadou Sakho is set for his first appearance of the season alongside Kolo Toure in what is likely to be a much-changed back four.

Up front, Belgium striker Divock Origi is in line for the first start of his Liverpool career while midfielder Adam Lallana has returned to fitness and is also in contention.

Away from competitive matters, captain Jordan Henderson has undergone a specialist procedure in the United States in an attempt to cure an ongoing heel problem.

The midfielder travelled to America on Monday to seek expert advice from New Jersey-based Dr John Cozzarelli.

Press Association Sport understands since arriving he has been assessed and has undergone a procedure which involves a series of injections, but he has not had surgery.

Henderson has missed the last three matches with the problem and in his absence the team have earned just one point, in a goalless draw at Arsenal.

The side have missed his dynamism and particularly his forward running, but with no date set for his return Rodgers has to find a way of rejuvenating his midfield as the triumvirate of Milner, Emre Can and Lucas struggled in the defeats against West Ham and Manchester United.