Bordeaux head coach Willy Sagnol has insisted that his side are not playing Liverpool at a good time, despite their loss of form in the Premier League.
The Reds begin their Europa League campaign against the French side on Thursday after losing their last two outings to West Ham United and Manchester United respectively.
Christian Benteke, Martin Skrtel, James Milner, Lucas Leiva, Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne will also miss the clash with Bordeaux, but Sagnol has said that he is still expecting a tough test from the Merseysiders.
"Is it a good time to face Liverpool? When you're Bordeaux, I don't know if there is one," FourFourTwo quotes him saying.
"Liverpool's squad is top-drawer. A few absentees do not change that. We also have some missing players.
"Our Benteke is also absent, since Cheick Diabate is injured. We need a little bit of refreshing but we have the base to hold together until December."
Bordeaux drew 2-2 with Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.
Steven Toplis
