Zenit St Petersburg v Liverpool

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG MalafeevAnyukov, Lombaerts, Hubocan, Yanbayev Witsel, Danny, Denisov Hulk, Zyryanov, Alves

LIVERPOOL ReinaWisdom, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique Shelvey, Allen, Henderson Borini, Suarez, Sterling

Brendan Rodgers travels to Russia with new signing Daniel Sturridge unavailable for the second consecutive fixture, this time due to being cup-tied.

Raheem Sterling (illness) should be fully recovered in time for the game, although full back Martin Kelly (knee) remains a long-term absentee.

Zenit boss Luciano Spalletti is likely to have a fully fit first-team squad to choose from, following the Russian winter break.

• Zenit St Petersburg has never lost to an English side on home soil.

• Between them, these two clubs reached three European finals in four seasons between 2005 and 2008.

• Liverpool center back Martin Skrtel (pictured right) helped Zenit to the 2007 Russian league title before leaving for Merseyside the following year.

• Liverpool's only away defeat in the Europa League this term came in Russia, against Anzhi Makhachkala.

• Thursday's clash will be the first time the two clubs have met in their histories.

• Liverpool has won as many matches as it has lost (two) away on Russian turf.