Hodgson plays down pressure on youngsters

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson insists players are not playing for their futures in the Europa League tie against Steaua Bucharest.

A number of fringe squad members are set to get a run-out as a depleted party travelled to Romania.

Injuries have ruled out Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger, while Hodgson opted to rest Fernando Torres, Maxi Rodriguez, Raul Meireles, Glen Johnson and Paul Konchesky.

It gives the likes of Ryan Babel, who is linked with a move in every transfer window, and Milan Jovanovic, who is still followed by rumours of a return to Standard Liege after just four months at Anfield, a chance to impress.

Reserve team youngsters Dani Pacheco, Nathan Eccleston, Danny Wilson, Jack Robinson and John Flanagan have also been included in the squad.

But Hodgson stressed that it would be unjust to judge individuals on their performances and in the final group game in a fortnight's time, because so many of the club's first-choice stars were absent.

"It would be too much to ask. I don't think it would be fair," he said.

"I think if you are going to be judged in that way you need to be playing with a large number of the more established players.

"I don't think it is correct to judge people too much when many of them are playing together and are obviously fairly inexperienced at this level.

"I wouldn't want to say they are playing for their long-term futures but I think they have a great opportunity to show me that what I am seeing in training they are able to be produce on the field in important matches when push comes to shove.

"I am very interested to see some of the players who, if not making their debut, at least playing one of very few games that they have had for the club during my time here.

"I think they gain an enormous amount because we are playing against a top-quality team.

"In these games, especially the away games, it is important to have a look at some of the younger players who have been working hard day after day at Melwood and not really had too much of a look in when it comes to playing in the first team.

"In the couple of games so far, away at Utrecht and Napoli, they have not let me, the club or the fans down and I hope they will continue to do that in another difficult game."

Steaua striker Bogdan Stancu believes he and his team-mates will not become complacent despite the absence of Liverpool's three major players Gerrard, Carragher and Torres.

Stancu, top scorer in their domestic league with 12 in 17 matches, stressed they will not be distracted by a weakened side.

"It would be lethal for us to pay any attention to Liverpool's three absentees, because they have so many skilful players who can replace them," said the 23-year-old.

"If you just picked a Liverpool side from the bench and those outside the 18-man matchday squad, you would still have a very strong team.

"It would also be a huge mistake to judge them by their position in the Premier League (10th)."