Daniel Sturridge will not play in Liverpool's Europa League clash with Sion on Thursday, manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed.
Sturridge scored twice in the 3-2 win over Aston Villa at the weekend - only his second appearance since returning from a long-term hip injury.
Rodgers has insisted the Europa League will continue to be used for his fringe players to get games and prove themselves, and Sturridge will be rested ahead of the Merseyside derby against Everton.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference at Liverpool's Melwood training ground Rodgers confirmed: "Daniel won't be involved in the game.
"Daniel has worked very hard and come back ahead of schedule but we have to make sure we don't break him at this stage. He won't play, which will obviously keep him fresh for the game at the weekend.
"We saw from the game at the weekend is that he is still working on his fitness but he gives us that quality. Daniel has shown that. If we can keep him fit - and there's still a way to go but we're working towards a good level of fitness - then there's a real good combination there with Danny Ings."
Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw away at Bordeaux in their opening Group B game, in which Rodgers used a number of younger fringe players such as Jordan Rossiter and Divock Origi.
And Rodgers has pledged to continue using these players in the clash with the Swiss Super League side at Anfield.
Rodgers said: "Our approach to this game will be how it's been in the competition so far; it's an opportunity for young players and players on the fringes that haven't been playing.
"But it will also going to require players that have been playing. Our home games are very important and we enter into it with the mind-set to win the game. Then we can concentrate on the game on Sunday.
"I think it's a game where we're going to have to be patient. They very quickly get players behind the ball, sit deep and play a counter-attack game. And they had a good result against Rubin Kazan so that will give them confidence."
