Young Boys vs Liverpool match preview

Liverpool head to Switzerland on Thursday to face Young Boys of Berne, where they will be fielding a couple of their own young guns.

German youth international, Samed Yesil, is in line to make his first appearance for Liverpool as Brendan Rodgers looks to rest his key players ahead of Sunday’s visit from Manchester United.

“Yesil will certainly be fast-tracked,” said Rodgers. “He will be involved in the Europa League game.”

“I watched him play against England U19s during the international break and he scored two terrific goals and set up another.”

Rodgers has already proven in his short time in charge at Anfield that he is not afraid to blood youngsters in big games and he has been rewarded with the sparkling form of Raheem Sterling.

The inclusion of Samed Yesil enables Rodgers the opportunity to rest Luis Suarez for the showdown on Sunday with Manchester United, which is already a must-win game in the Premier League.

Young Boys are not to be taken lightly as Tottenham found out two years ago in the Champions League when they found themselves 3-0 down in the first 25 minutes.

Tottenham did eventually run out comfortable 6-3 winners on aggregate, but Liverpool will certainly have to be on guard against a slow start against their Swiss opponents.

Liverpool has been allocated in arguably the toughest group out of the English clubs in the Europa this season and a good start is imperative if they are to go through comfortably.

Young Boys will certainly have a go at Liverpool, but if the Reds play anything like they did against Sunderland in their last game then I fully expect them to win.

Prediction: Young Boys 1-2 Liverpool

Paul Jones, football correspondent