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STEVEN GERRARD has been ruled out of LiverpoolFC ’s crunch Europa League clash with Udinese tomorrow night.

The Reds skipper is struggling with illness and won’t travel with the squad when they fly to Italy today.

Gerrard hadn’t featured in the two previous away games in Group A but was expected to have a prominent role to play against the Serie A side and will be sorely missed.

Lucas Leiva and Daniel Agger will be the other notable absentees as Brendan Rodgers’ side look to secure the victory they need to guarantee their passage to the knockout stages at the Stadio Friuli.

Lucas made an impressive return to action against Southampton last weekend after three months out with a thigh injury. The Brazil midfielder came through unscathed but after such a long absence Liverpool have decided he would be better served resting ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to West Ham.

Similarly, Agger won’t be risked as the Reds continue to manage his game-time. The Danish centre-back has started 13 successive league matches – the best run of his seven-year Anfield career.

However, key to that sequence has been giving him plenty of recovery time with Anzhi at home the only Europa League group game he has been involved in.

Aside from Gerrard, Lucas and Agger, the Reds will be at full strength with Luis Suarez set to make his first European away appearance for the club.

Liverpool’s only fit senior striker has been omitted from the previous continental trips to save him for league action but he won’t be rested on this occasion.

Suarez’s fifth booking of the season means he’s banned for Sunday’s game at Upton Park so he’s likely to start against Udinese, who have already been eliminated from the competition.

Liverpool will qualify for the last 32 if they win, while a draw would be good enough if Young Boys are also held at home to Anzhi

If both Liverpool and Young Boys lose then the Swiss will go through at Liverpool’s expense.

Anzhi are already through but Rodgers’ side would top the group if they beat Udinese and Anzhi lose to Young Boys.

Udinese, who have suffered three successive defeats in Europe, ended a run of eight games without a win when they defeated Cagliari 4-1 at home last Sunday.

They will be boosted by the return from injury of midfielder Giampiero Pinzi who has warned the Reds that they won’t simply roll over.

“We got an important win against Cagliari and we hope to continue like this,” he said.

“Unfortunately we spoiled everything (in Europe) with the two defeats against Young Boys, but we have to finish this round with honour. We owe it to our supporters.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s FA Cup third round tie at either Lincoln or Mansfield will be shown live on ESPN on Sunday, January 6. The kick-off time has yet to be confirmed.

Two of Liverpool’s Premier League fixtures have been moved and will now be screened live on Sky Sports. The Reds will travel to Manchester City on Sunday, February 3 (4pm) and then entertain West Brom on Monday, February 11 (8pm).