It will be interesting to see just how high the Europa League is on Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson's list of priorities when the Reds kick off their group campaign at home to Steaua Bucharest on Thursday.

Hodgson famously guided previous club Fulham to the final in Hamburg last season, where they narrowly lost to Atletico Madrid, and had no qualms about rotating his squad during their superb run.

The Reds have yet to field what could be deemed as their strongest line-up so far in the competition and with the main priority undoubtedly to get back in to the top four and ensure entry into the Champions League next season, then Hodgson may decide to leave out some of his star names.

The Anfield club have certainly failed to fire so far under Hodgson, although they won all four of their Europa League qualifiers and only conceded one goal along the way.

But they were poor at Birmingham on Sunday and were grateful to the heroics of keeper Pepe Reina for earning them a point in a 0-0 draw, with star striker Fernando Torres looking decidedly unintetested in proceedings leading to fresh rumours of an exit in the next transfer window.

However, while all might not be going swimmingly, Liverpool are still a tough nut to crack and with an expectant Kop behind them they should get off to a winning start.

Steaua dropped to third place in the Romanian league after losing to Unirea Urziceni at the weekend.

It was their first defeat in the league this season as they saw city rivals Dinamo Bucharest and Rapid Bucharest move above them.

They will be well organised and dangerous on the break, but defender Jamie Carragher has been Liverpool's star performer so far this term and with left-back Paul Konchesky passed fit, they should cope.

The Reds are a general best-priced 1.40, with Steaua 9.00 at Betsson and the draw a widely available 4.40.

Nothing there appeals so instead we advise you go for Joe Cole - still serving a Premier League suspension - to get his first Liverpool goal, and he is 2.62 with Bet365 to score at anytime.

Manchester City, the current 6/1 favourites to win the competition, travel to Austrian champions FC Red Bull Salzburg and again squad rotation would seem to be the main talking point in this one.

City were held to a disappointing 1-1 home draw by Blackburn on Saturday and even though boss Roberto Mancini dug deep into his war chest during the summer, his side still appear to be some distance away from challenging for the title.

Like Liverpool, City could see the Europa League as an unwelcome distraction but their squad has the depth to compete even if sweeping changes are made.

However, Mancini has confirmed that keeper Joe Hart is going to keep his place in the side, despite a mistake against Rovers, which would seem to push Shay Given closer to an exit and keeping his star names happy could be Mancini's problem.

The City boss said: "It is a difficult decision for me because Shay is a strong goalkeeper like Joe, but at this moment this is my choice.

"We are involved in four competitions and I'm sure Shay will play in Europe at some point but I will continue to play Joe on Thursday."

City are a best-priced 1.80 with Betsson to claim victory, with the draw a general 3.30 and a home victory widely available at 5.00.

Little appeals there so we are going to look at David Silva, a £24m summer signing from Valencia who has failed to make an impact in the Premier League so far, but may find Europe more suited to his silky skills.

Mancini has indicated he is ready to start with Silva so we recommend taking him at a widely available 8.50 to score the first goal.

PICKS:
Joe Cole to score at anytime for Liverpool against Steaua Bucharest at 2.62 at Bet365
David Silva to score first goal for Manchester City against Salzburg at 8.50 at Bet365