Christian Benteke left behind as Brendan Rodgers rests stars

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke is one of a number of big names rested by Brendan Rodgers for tonight’s Europa League opener in Bordeaux.

The €44.5million 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.