BRENDAN RODGERS will wheel out the big guns in Russia as the Liverpool manager eyes a concerted challenge for European glory.

Rodgers will name a strong starting line-up this evening for the Europa League round of 32 first leg tie at Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg.

Only cup-tied duo Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho stayed at home with the competition now rising up the Anfield outfit’s list of priorities following their FA Cup exit at Oldham Athletic last month.

And Rodgers is keen for Liverpool to ensure they are in a position to finish off the job when they entertain Zenit in the return leg next Thursday.

"I want to go in as strong as we can," said the Northern Irishman. "I think we’re on the down slope now – we’ve only got 12 games in the league and hopefully we can progress in the Europa League. We’ll be looking to go strong.

"But there certainly won’t be wholesale changes as there were in the earlier rounds because this is a competition that we want to be strong in and we’ve now only got two opportunities to get through to the next round.

"We’ll assess and see how the group is, but the majority of the squad will travel."

The Europa League represents Liverpool’s final chance of silverware this season and, having lost ground in recent weeks in the battle for a top-six finish, also provides a route to European qualification.

Liverpool will have to negotiate eight further games in the competition if they are to reach the May final in Amsterdam.