Roy Hodgson to play strongest LFC side in Europa League from now on

Roy Hodgson 300ROY 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.The Liverpool boss was 'satisfied' with yesterday's draw for the last 32 which paired the Reds with Sparta Prague.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.Hodgson rested many of his senior players in the group stage but he won't risk doing likewise in the knockout ties. '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.'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.'I think it's a very good draw. There are a lot of good teams in the competition, even the unseeded sides.'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.'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.'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'.Liverpool have never met Sparta before but the Czech champions were former Reds star Patrik Berger's final club before he retired in January.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.

Source: Liverpool_Echo