(Image: Liverpool's Jordan Rossiter could start at Bordeaux but Christian Benteke and James Milner have not made the trip)

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Christian Benteke and James Milner will not feature in Liverpool's Europa League clash with Bordeaux on Thursday after they were left out of the travelling party to France.

Milner's omission in particular will leave question marks over who will captain the side with Jordan Henderson in America for treatment on his troublesome heel injury while Benteke's absence should clear the way for a start from Divock Origi, who played in the French league with Lille.

The squad also seems to give an opportunity to address another issue within Liverpool's recent teams.

The decline in the club’s ‘Scouse heartbeat’ has been an ongoing theme since Jamie Carragher headed for the Sky studio and Steven Gerrard opted to play out his storied career in the Hollywood Hills.

Jon Flanagan remains on the injury sidelines for now but Brendan Rodgers’ squad for Thursday is set to include a pair of young Merseyside players.

The ECHO understands that Connor Randall has joined Jordan Rossiter to make the trip to France for the first game in the group stages.

Rossiter, of course, will fully expect to play at least some part in the game, after the Everton Valley midfielder made his Premier League debut in the last 15 minutes at the Emirates last month. His chances will have increased with Milner left back in Liverpool.

Randall, 19, from Maghull, pulled out of an LFC Foundation event last night after being given the nod to head to Melwood for the trip.

The Reds do not have a huge amount of cover for Nathaniel Clyne at right-back and Randall’s strong-running style could provide the cover Rodgers is looking for in that role

As well as the two young Merseysiders, Salford-born U21 captain Cameron Brannagan is another to make the French trip. The attacking midfielder only missed out on the pre-season tour of Australia and the Far East due to a badly-timed injury.

Brannagan, 19, featured in the Liverpool squad for the Europa tie with Besiktas last season and he was on the bench at the Ataturk in February as well as four times before the end of the season, including at the Emirates.

Irish defender Dan Cleary is another believed to have made the trip.