Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool side start their season early as they aim to qualify for the Europa League proper. They take on Macedonian league runners-up Rabotnicki but can they get the win?

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And manager Roy Hodgson admits that after the bright start to his Anfield reign, the storm clouds are moving in overhead, despite Liverpool being 2/9 with 888Sport to beat the side who came second in the Macedonian first division.

“I could not have envisaged at the start of my time at Liverpool a more difficult situation than the one I find myself in,” Hodgson said of the match in the Macedonian capital Skopje. “It would have been nice if the game was played later and we could field what we think is our strongest team, but we cannot.”

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Indeed, Hodgson has left all his English World Cup players at home, including new boy Joe Cole and captain Steven Gerrard, as well as Argentinian duo Maxi Rodriguez and wantaway Javier Mascherano.

World Cup finalists Dirk Kuyt and injured Fernando Torres also miss the trip, meaning Hodgson is left with a largely inexperienced squad for to pick from.

The Liverpool boss explained: “It would have been complete folly to try to play 90 minutes of football in an important competition in difficult conditions with players who have been training for just four days.”

Youngsters such as David Amoo (7/1 to score first with Paddy Power), Jonjo Shelvey (7/1 with Stan James), Nathan Eccleston (7/1 with Coral), Lauri Dalla Valle (7/1 with Totesport), Martin Hansen, Peter Gulacsi and Tom Ince have been included in the 20-man travelling party.

However, with internationals Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Alberto Aquilani, Lucas Leiva and Milan Jovanovic all part of the squad, Liverpool should have too much for a team playing in a league ranked 40th in Europe.

Rabotnicki haven’t conceded a goal in a run of four games to get to this stage, though, so should be stubborn to break down. They only lost 2-1 on aggregate to Sammy Lee’s Bolton in the first round of the 2007/08 Europa League as well, so a 1-0 win for Liverpool (6/1 with Bet365) might be a more astute bet.

Liverpool on paper should pick up the easy win, but what do you think? Stan James are offering a free £25 bet on the game tonight – be quick – claim your free £25 bet here!