Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has suggested that the Europa League is an opportunity for his side's fringe players to force their way into the first-team picture.

The Reds have lost their last two Premier League fixtures, but the Northern Irishman insists that he is not panicking about his side's form, and wants his players to use the Europa League as a platform to impress.

Speaking to BT Sport, Rodgers said: "I'm taking the same approach as what I took when I first came into the Europa League, where it was an opportunity - the idea is to hopefully get through in the group - but also gives us a chance to play players that haven't featured so much, experienced players and also to have a look at our young players.

"We're obviously very early in the season. Of course when you lose games at Liverpool there's always hype around that, but we stay calm and we're very focused on what it is we're trying to do which is improve our performance."

Rodgers also suggested that club captain Jordan Henderson will be closely monitored this week, after seeing a specialist in New York about his foot injury.

"He's gone out there and had a bit of work out in America, and obviously it'll take a couple of days for that to settle down, and hopefully when we get back we'll see how he is," Rodgers added.

Liverpool's next Premier League fixture is against Norwich City on Sunday.