The Reds will not be dining at the top table of European football for at least 12 months after coming seventh last term at the end of a campaign that eventually saw the departure of Rafa Benitez.

And while the Spaniard will be in the Champions League again now he has re-surfaced at Inter Milan, the club he has left behind is languishing in the second tier in Europe, something loyal Reds fans hope will prove to be only a temporary setback.

With that in mind, Hodgson, who impressed last season by taking Fulham all the way to the final of the Europa League, has appeared to suggest something must give as he bids to lead Liverpool – the five-times champions of Europe – back to the promised land (Reds 9/1 – Premier League 2010/11 Outright).

As far as the here and now is concerned, Liverpool will face FK Rabotnicki of Macedonia in the third qualifying round of the Europa League following their win over two legs against Mika, but Hodgson admits progression cannot simply be taken for granted.

“I worry a lot about not having enough players for next week,” the popular Croydon-born coach revealed in the Daily Mail in reference to the trip to Skopje for the first leg next Thursday.

“These will be two unbelievably difficult games at this stage of the season but it depends where we put the Europa League in the grand scheme of things.

“The sports scientists tell me it would be wrong if I use the World Cup players this early, if we want to use them throughout the season.

“But if we don’t throw them in, then we don’t have the players with experience to play these games, so it is a cleft stick.

“It is a balance that I cannot sort out on my own. It will be a decision for the club to take on.

“Where in the list of priorities does the Europa League come.”

Red winger Albert Riera is set to move to Greek giants Olympiacos by the weekend after receiving a hero’s welcome on Thursday on his arrival in Greece.

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England

King is struggling with a groin problem and has already been ruled out of the crunch World Cup Group C clash with Slovenia in Port Elizabeth where only a win will guarantee the Three Lions passage into the last 16 in South Africa (Slovenia 13/2, draw 16/5, England 4/9 – match betting).

Capello’s tactics have come under fire from all quarters, with his reluctance to use Joe Cole baffling to players and fans alike, and it seems certain he will change his midfield for the final group game following back-to-back draws with USA and Algeria.

And although Carrick can only be classed as an outside bet to come into England’s engine room, the fact an ankle knock picked up in training on Sunday kept him out of today?s session will be another irritant to perfectionist Capello.

The England coach is puzzled by his side’s Jekyll and Hyde character after claiming their performances in matches bear little resemblance to the work put in on the training ground (England 4/9 – To Qualify From Group C).

The Italian said: “It almost feels like all the work of the last two years has been for nothing. I am not happy because we have worked hard for 20 days.

“You see all the things during the training. Then on the pitch it is completely different. As a manager, when that happens it is no good.

“I don’t understand why during a game we don’t change the rhythm or the speed. We are really slow.

“At this World Cup if you don’t run or press or fight it is difficult to go forward.”

Capello’s more likely decision on Wednesday will be to recall Joe Cole which was alluded to by former captain John Terry when he faced the media on Sunday.

Terry is baffled at how far the former West Ham youngster and current free agent has fallen down the pecking order for both club and country.

The Chelsea skipper said: “Joe is one of the best players in our country. He and Wayne Rooney are the only two who can open up things up.

“It still amazes me how Chelsea have come to the conclusion of letting Joe go. But he can surely do things for England whether he starts or comes on.”

Nevertheless, Terry also took the chance to dismiss rumour of a split in the England squad over Capello’s strict regime.

He insisted: “I have seen a few reports myself. There is no unrest in the camp at all.

“I’m here on behalf of all the players to say we are all fully behind the manager. Everyone is positive.”

England will be forced into one change against Slovenia after Jamie Carragher picked up his second yellow card of the tournament against Algeria. Either Matthew Upson or the uncapped Michael Dawson will stand-in for the Liverpool man.

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