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Brendan Rodgers has defended his decision to leave a host of star names out of Liverpool’s opening Europa League group game away to Bordeaux.

The Reds travelled to France without Christian Benteke, James Milner, Lucas Leiva, Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Martin Skrtel, who have all been rested with one eye on Sunday’s Premier League clash with Norwich City at Anfield.

Captain Jordan Henderson is also absent after undergoing treatment on a heel injury in America, while Daniel Sturridge is still not ready to make his comeback.

However, Rodgers denied that his selection policy was disrespectful to Europe’s second tier competition and insisted that the team he fields is capable of beating the Ligue 1 outfit.

“My approach is the same as the first season when I came in when we played players who were needing games, but some young players as well,” said Rodgers.

“We did it back then when we were first in the Europa League and we finished top of the group and qualified. That’s the objective again.

“I’ll pick a team to win the game. We have a lot of games coming up over the next couple of months and I have every confidence that every team I put out for every game is capable of winning.”

Rodgers confirmed that both Mamadou Sakho and Divock Origi will start at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux.

It will be Sakho’s first appearance of the season and the manager confirmed Liverpool are looking to extend his contract, which currently runs until 2017.

“Mama is a player we want to keep,” he said.

“It’s been a difficult start for him. We won the first few games so it was difficult to change the team. He was working up his fitness levels.

“We were always going to need Mama after the international break. We want to extend his contract at the club and for sure he will play tomorrow night.”

Origi will lead the line after coming off the bench to make his debut at Old Trafford last weekend.

“Divock is a young player settling into the club well and he will feature tomorrow,” Rodgers said.

“He’s a very talented young boy. He’s got great attributes and I’m sure over time he will demonstrate those.”

Alberto Moreno, Kolo Toure, Jordon Ibe and Jordan Rossiter are also expected to start in France and Rodgers says there are places up for grabs in the line up to face Norwich in the league at Anfield on Sunday.

“There are some players left behind who will play at the weekend,” he said.

“I didn’t feel the need to take some of them out as we’ve got players who can play in their position. It’s better for them to rest ahead of the weekend.

“But there are some who will play tomorrow night who will play at the weekend. That opportunity is there for all the players who play against Bordeaux to put themselves in a place to play again at the weekend.”