Reds duo miss Turkey trip

Liverpool duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have been ruled out of Thursday's Europa League clash with Trabzonspor.

Reds skipper Gerrard is struggling with a back problem, while striker Torres will not be risked in a third successive game following his injury problems last season.

Liverpool are hopeful that the pair will be available for this weekend's home clash with West Brom.

Daniel Agger (concussion) and Maxi Rodriguez (illness) were also absent from the squad travelling out to Turkey as Liverpool look to defend a 1-0 lead from the first leg.

Javier Mascherano has been left out in the wake of a bid from Barcelona earlier this week, but Joe Cole returns after being forced to miss Monday's defeat to Manchester City through suspension.

"Steven Gerrard unfortunately has had a recurrence of the back problem which he gets from time to time. Hopefully it won't stop him playing on Sunday," Hodgson told the club's official website.

"The same applies to Agger for Sunday. He played in the game on Monday which was to some extent against medical advice. He wanted to play but felt a bit sick after the game. That's mainly due to the concussion he suffered, so it would be foolish for us to risk him on Thursday.

"With Fernando Torres we've made the decision that we don't wish to risk him three games in a row at this stage of the season with him having done so well to get back this quickly.

"Maxi is sick. He's in bed at the moment with a bit of gastroenteritis, so he's out of the question."

Hodgson admits his side face a tough challenge against Trabzonspor after failing to put the match beyond reach at Anfield last week, with Cole missing a penalty.

"We missed a golden opportunity to kill the game off at Anfield and now we've got it all to do," added Hodgson.

"It's going to be a very tough ask for the players in a difficult place.

"They are one of the two or three best teams in Turkey at the moment and Turkish football is of a very high standard.

"Everyone who's been to Trabzon tells me it's a remarkably difficult place to play.

"They're a hostile and fanatic crowd and it's a difficult pitch.

"But if we come through it we'll come through it stronger."

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