Source: Liverpool_Echo
Roy Hodgson to play strongest LFC side in Europa League from now on
Roy Hodgson 300[LNB]ROY HODGSON has vowed to play his strongest side in the Europa League from now on as he targeted a morale-boosting victory over Fulham at Anfield tonight.[LNB]The Liverpool boss was 'satisfied' with yesterday's draw for the last 32 which paired the Reds with Sparta Prague.[LNB]They will travel to the Czech capital for the first leg on February 17 before the return at Anfield on February 24. Victory will set up a showdown with either Poland's Lech Poznan or Portugal's Braga in the last 16.[LNB]Hodgson rested many of his senior players in the group stage but he won't risk doing likewise in the knockout ties.[LNB] 'By that stage of the season we'll be playing three matches a week and I won't have the luxury I have had so far of sometimes sparing players in the Europa League,' he said.[LNB]'We're at the knockout stage now so I won't have that option because it will be important to put out our best team every time if we want to go further in the competition.[LNB]'I think it's a very good draw. There are a lot of good teams in the competition, even the unseeded sides.[LNB]'A lot of those teams are from the far end of Europe in places which are difficult to get to and about which you would find it difficult to get a lot of information.[LNB]'Sparta Prague are a team everyone knows well. Prague is a very reachable city, a very beautiful city and the team will be easier to scout and easier to find information about than the Rubin Kazans and Kharkivs of the draw.[LNB]'It is never going to be easy at this stage but I am perfectly satisfied with the draw we have been given. I don't think we can say we have been badly treated'.[LNB]Liverpool have never met Sparta before but the Czech champions were former Reds star Patrik Berger's final club before he retired in January.[LNB]They finished second in Europa League Group F behind CSKA Moscow, picking up nine points in a group which also included Palermo and Lausanne Sports.
