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With Sunday’s 225th Merseyside derby at Goodison on the horizon, Brendan Rodgers is expected to ring the changes for Liverpool’s Europa League clash with FC Sion at Anfield on Thursday night.

The Reds boss has seen his squad depleted by injuries in recent weeks and will be desperate to ensure the remainder of his star names are fit and firing on all cylinders for the lunchtime showdown with Roberto Martinez’s side.

Captain Jordan Henderson, Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Dejan Lovren all remain sidelined, while Daniel Sturridge is likely to be rested for the visit of the Swiss Cup holders.

Mamadou Sakho, James Milner, Lucas Leiva and Philippe Coutinho may also be spared European duties ahead of the weekend.

The ECHO takes a look at those on the fringes who are in contention to line up against Sion.

Adam Bogdan

Simon Mignolet started the Reds’ opening game in Group B away to Bordeaux but Bogdan certainly gave Rodgers food for thought with his heroics on his debut against Carlisle in the Capital One Cup last week.

The Hungary international made three fine saves in the penalty shoot-out, although he should have done better in normal time with Derek Asamoah’s equaliser. Bogdan will be hoping he did enough to earn another outing in front of the Kop.

Kolo Toure

The veteran Ivorian defender was devastated to be forced off inside the opening half-hour against Bordeaux after being handed his first appearance since the debacle at Stoke back in May.

Toure was left with a dead leg after being clattered by Mignolet but is now back fit and should return to the side against Sion.

Joe Gomez

The teenager earned plenty of plaudits for the manner in which he started the season after being handed the left-back spot ahead of Alberto Moreno. However, he struggled in the defeats to West Ham and Manchester United and, since playing as one of the back three in Bordeaux, he has been relegated to bench duty.

Thursday night should present him with more game-time in his favoured central role.

Joe Allen

The Wales international is still building up his match fitness after overcoming the hamstring injury he suffered in the final pre-season friendly against Swindon Town.

Allen played an hour on his comeback against Carlisle last week and then replaced Sturridge for the final seconds of Saturday’s win over Villa. He’s likely to start against Sion.

Jordan Rossiter

The 18-year-old Academy graduate impressed everyone with his mature display in midfield on his European debut against Bordeaux. He refused to be bullied and put in a tireless shift.

Rossiter can count himself unfortunate not to have got any further game-time in the three matches since and certainly deserves another opportunity to showcase his exciting potential.

Adam Lallana

The England international is still battling to live up to his £25million price tag after a frustrating start to the new season.

After missing three matches with a thigh problem, he marked his return in style with a classy individual goal away to Bordeaux. However, that hasn’t proved the springboard he was anticipating.

Lallana remained on the bench throughout Saturday’s game against Villa but he will be required against Sion and should have his sights set on forcing his way into Rodgers’ plans for the derby.

Jordon Ibe

Ibe was Liverpool’s stand-out performer in pre-season with all the talk about how he could fill the void created by Raheem Sterling’s move to Manchester City. So far it hasn’t happened.

After starting against Stoke and Bournemouth, he has slipped down the pecking order. On his last start against Bordeaux he struggled and looked reluctant to take his man on.

Ibe needs to regain some confidence and Sion at home looks tailor-made for him.

Divock Origi

The £10million signing from Lille has endured a slow start to his Liverpool career. With Benteke having been bought for £32.5million and Sturridge on the comeback trail, his chances were bound to be limited early on but he has also seen Danny Ings leap ahead of him.

After making his debut as a substitute at Old Trafford, Origi failed to shine on his first start against Bordeaux. There were some moments of promise when he came off the bench against Carlisle last week but his finishing was wayward. Origi is likely to get the call to lead the line on Thursday as he looks to get off the mark.