Kops won't be lenient to Napoli, says Hodgson

04 November,2010 08:48 AM IST |   |  Agencies

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson said he will field a strong team for tonight's Europa League clash against Napoli despite the risk of further injuries to their key players


Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson said he will field a strong team for tonight's Europa League clash against Napoli despite the risk of further injuries to their key players.

Liverpool will be without defender Daniel Agger (calf injury), midfielder Joe Cole (hamstring) and forward Dirk Kuyt (ankle).

But Hodson insisted: "We'll have a strong team out on Thursday, we won't rest too many."

Meanwhile, Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri believes Liverpool will pose a much greater threat at Anfield than they did in their last meeting in the Europa League that finished goalless.

"Playing Liverpool means a great deal. We're at Anfield in a stadium full of history and it's a source of great pride for our team just to be here," said Mazzarri. "We know it is going to be difficult but games are often decided by small incidents on the pitch. We need to be extremely focused, concentrate on our own game and also try to restrict the great players we will be up against tomorrow.

"We played Liverpool two weeks ago and we didn't lose so we are equal.

Since the two clubs drew 0-0 in Naples a fortnight ago Liverpool have won both their EPL matches.

Napoli, fourth in Serie A, lost at home to AC Milan immediately after facing Hodgson's side but bounced back on Sunday with a 1-0 win at Brescia.

Europa League on TV
Lech Poznan vs Man City
23:25... Live on Ten Action
Liverpool vs Napoli
01:30... Live on Ten Action

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