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Reds stars miss Italian trip

Image: Gerrard and Torres: Not needed

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have both been left out of the squad to face Napoli.

Gerrard and Torres stay in England; Wilson hoping for chance

Liverpool have confirmed that star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have both been left out of the squad for Thursday's Europa League match against Napoli. Manager Roy Hodgson had previously said that he planned to maintain his policy of resting some first-team regulars during the club's European commitments. And with an important Premier League meeting with Blackburn on Sunday, the Anfield boss has decided that captain Gerrard and striker Torres will not be needed in Italy. Right-back Glen Johnson is also missing due to injury, while centre-back Daniel Agger is ill, but midfielder Christian Poulsen is fit again after missing last weekend's defeat at Everton. The absence of Johnson and Agger could mean that Scotland Under 21 international Danny Wilson gains a rare first-team opportunity after finding his chances limited since his summer move from Rangers.

Important

The versatile defender has not featured since the infamous Carling Cup defeat to Northampton, but he has been working hard in the reserves to maintain match fitness. Wilson told Liverpool's official website: "I'm looking forward to it. I'm just trying to get as much experience as I can now and do my best. "The next couple of games are really important for us, but we will take it one game at a time and hopefully get a couple of wins to get us going again. "I've not had that many chances in the first team so it was good to play for the reserves and keep my fitness up, and at the same time play well and hopefully catch the manager's eye."
Liverpool squad:
Reina, Jones, Hansen, Konchesky, Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Wilson, Carragher, Kelly, Spearing, Poulsen, Shelvey, Maxi, Babel, Jovanovic, Pacheco, Eccleston, Cole, Ngog.