By Dominic King

PUBLISHED: 16:39 EST, 24 October 2012 | UPDATED: 16:39 EST, 24 October 2012

Brendan Rodgers is ready to gamble with Liverpool's Merseyside derby ambitions by naming Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard in his side to face Anzhi Makhachkala.

Liverpool's precarious position in Group A of the Europa League, coupled with the lack of depth in their squad, means Rodgers will ask his captain and leading striker to play on Thursday, even though it is 72 hours before the crucial trip to Goodison Park.

Rodgers has tended to make wholesale changes in cup competitions this season but, having lost to Udinese on Matchday Two, he is prepared to flood his side with familiar names, as he has no intention of sacrificing Liverpool's place in Europe.

Captain's role: Steven Gerrard is likely to be selected to play

Captain's role: Steven Gerrard is likely to be selected to play

Defenders Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel, who have not started a Europa League game together since a qualifier against FC Gomel on August 9, will be charged with keeping Samuel Eto'o under wraps and Rodgers' assistant Colin Pascoe admitted Anzhi's strength has forced Liverpool's hand.

'Anzhi are a strong unit,' said Pascoe. 'They are a big team with big players. We have swapped and changed things around a bit before but, looking at this game, it is very important for us. We will pick a stronger team than we played against Udinese.

Lack of options: Luis Suarez is one of Liverpool's only fit strikers

Lack of options: Luis Suarez is one of Liverpool's only fit strikers

'It is a difficult (situation). After Anzhi we have got games against Everton, Swansea (in the Carling Cup), Newcastle, Anzhi away and then Chelsea. We will have to mix things up depending on the games. But we want to win this one. It is as simple as that.'

PROBABLE TEAM LINE-UPS

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Jones: Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Robinson: Henderson, Gerrard, Sahin: Assaidi, Suarez, Downing.

ANZHI (4-4-2): Gabulov: Carlos, Samba, Logashov, Gadzhibekov: Agalarov, Shatov, Boussoufa, Zhirkov: Eto'o, Traore.

Referee – Bas Nijheus (Holland)

Gerrard and Suarez were called into action during the game against Udinese but their presence could not stop Liverpool sliding to a 3-2 defeat that, even there are four games left in the group stage, has severely compromised their chances.

Should Liverpool lose to Guus Hiddink's expensively-assembled squad, it is likely they will have to win their final three matches – which include trips to Moscow and Udine – to stand any chance of reaching the knockout stages.

'Anzhi have lost one in 21 games overall this season,' said Pascoe. 'There's only one way they are going to go and that's Champions League.  It's a strong group but if you want to do well in every competition you have to beat the best teams.'

The comments below have not been moderated.

2 matches in 72 hours for professional athletes? Surely not!

Report abuse

Desperate measures for a desperate man.

Report abuse

They'll only be subs, just like in the udinese games. The league is our priority and I don't think Rodgers would want to jeopardise that.

Report abuse

If he picks his strongest team there's a better chance of winning. Playing every game with 'the next game' in mind is a proven recipe for disaster. The fans want to see the best players on the pitch, injuries and being tired are part of football. Play to win or don't bother.

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.