WHILE THE STABBING of several Liverpool fans overshadows preparations for tonight’s Europa League clash, Roy Hodgson has left striker Fernando Torres and captain Steven Gerrard out of the team to face Napoli (6pm 3E, ITV4).

Hodgson wants to keep the star duo fresh for Sunday’s vital Premier League clash against Blackburn at Anfield. Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen is, however, fit after missing Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Everton while Glen Johnston is stil injurd.

The Reds are top of Group K, with four points from two games, two points clear of Napoli and Utrecht.On the domestic front, Napoli are fourth in the Serie A table, with only one defeat in seven games.

Betting: Napoli 19-20 Draw 23-10 Liverpool 3-1

Manchester City, meanwhile, welcome Lech Poznan to Eastlands tonight (8.05pm).

Defender Kolo Toure has been ruled because of a hamstring injury while striker Jo has an ankle problem and fellow forward Roque Santa Cruz is not on his list of players.

Mario Balotelli (knee) and Aleksandar Kolarov (ankle) are again sidelined through injury as a toothless-looking City aim to maintain their unbeaten start.

Betting: City 2-9 Draw 5-1 Poznan 13-1