Big names return for LFC’s Europa qualifier

Liverpool (1) vs (0) FC Gomel
Europa League Third Round Qualifier, Second Leg
Thursday, 9th August 2012; Anfield – 8.05pm kick off (ESPN)

Football returns to Anfield for Brendan Rodgers’ first home game in charge of Liverpool FC on Thursday night. The Reds host Belarusian side FC Gomel in the return leg of the Europa League qualifier with a 1-0 lead following Stewart Downing’s goal last week.

The away leg saw a somewhat fringe team in action, but the big names are back in the squad for the home match. Lucas Leiva is set for his first action since damaging his cruciate ligament last December.

The Brazilian midfielder told the official LFC website “It will be a special day for me and I hope it will be another step for me.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the fans again and playing at Anfield. It’s where I really feel strong and comfortable and where I had very good performances before the injury.”

Pepe Reina and Luis Suarez return after their international exploits in the European Championships and Olympics respectively. Suarez is unlikely to start.

We will also see Fabio Borini lining up in Red at Anfield for the first time, the Italian forward is Rodgers’ only signing of the summer so far.

LFC squad: Reina, Jones, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Henderson, Spearing, Gerrard, Cole, Borini, Suarez, Downing, Lucas, Adam, Sterling, Shelvey, Kelly, Gulacsi, Robinson.