A number of fringe squad members are set to get a run-out as a depleted party travelled to Romania. Injuries have ruled out Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger, while Hodgson opted to rest Fernando Torres, Maxi Rodriguez, Raul Meireles, Glen Johnson and Paul Konchesky. It gives the likes of Ryan Babel, who is linked with a move in every transfer window, and Milan Jovanovic, who is still followed by rumours of a return to Standard Liege after just four months at Anfield, a chance to impress. Reserve team youngsters Dani Pacheco, Nathan Eccleston, Danny Wilson, Jack Robinson and John Flanagan have also been included in the squad. But Hodgson stressed that it would be unjust to judge individuals on their performances on Thursday and in the final group game in a fortnight's time, because so many of the club's first-choice stars were absent. "It would be too much to ask. I don't think it would be fair," he said. "I think if you are going to be judged in that way you need to be playing with a large number of the more established players. "I don't think it is correct to judge people too much when many of them are playing together and are obviously fairly inexperienced at this level. "I wouldn't want to say they are playing for their long-term futures but I think they have a great opportunity to show me that what I am seeing in training they are able to be produce on the field in important matches when push comes to shove. "I am very interested to see some of the players who, if not making their debut, at least playing one of very few games that they have had for the club during my time here. "I think they gain an enormous amount because we are playing against a top-quality team. "In these games, especially the away games, it is important to have a look at some of the younger players who have been working hard day after day at Melwood and not really had too much of a look in when it comes to playing in the first team. "In the couple of games so far, away at Utrecht and Napoli, they have not let me, the club or the fans down and I hope they will continue to do that in another difficult game tomorrow." Hodgson is confident, however, that his players - especially the younger ones - are good enough to get a result in Romania. And he hopes it will begin to give them enough of a grounding for them to be able to progress into the first team on a regular basis. "If you are going to represent Liverpool you have to start somewhere," he added. "Whenever you put that red shirt on it is going to be a big ask and that will be the case against Steaua but it could easily have been against Aston Villa (on Monday). "I don't think we should be too concerned about that. "The players we have brought to the club are players we think are capable of playing for the club and that means playing in places like Bucharest." The Reds need just a point from Thursday's tie in Bucharest to qualify for the knockout stage, while a win would take them through as Group K winners. Hodgson's side are unbeaten in Europe this season but the manager knows it will take another gritty performance like the one which secured a goalless draw in Naples to maintain that record. "We diminish our chances because we've left a lot of quality players at home," he added. "But it would be nice to sort it (progress to the knockout stage) as it would give us a chance in the final game to test a few players, but I'll worry about that when the time comes. "It would be nice if we could get the point tomorrow but if not we will have to put our eggs into the basket of playing Utrecht at home." Hodgson confirmed goalkeeper Jose Reina will lead the side out in the absence of both Gerrard - who is hoping to return a week on Saturday against Newcastle - and Carragher. "With the players we have playing he will captain the team but I'm not sure how long-term it will be," said Hodgson.
