Liverpool's Raheem Sterling (L) talks with Mario Balotelli during a training session at the club's Melwood training complex in Liverpool, northern England September 15, 2014. Liverpool are set to play Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad in the Cha
Liverpool's Raheem Sterling (L) talks with Mario Balotelli during a training session at the club's Melwood training complex in Liverpool, northern England September 15, 2014. Liverpool are set to play Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League on Tuesday. REUTERS/Phil Noble

After four straight seasons of absence in the Champions League, Liverpool are set to give their matchday 1 visitors - Ludogorets - an intimidating welcome.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is looking to start the proceedings with a statement by securing all three points against their relatively unknown Bulgarian visitors.

"Obviously, we are at home for our first game and we aim to perform well and get three points," said the Irishman.

"But I think our overriding objective initially is to come out of the group and qualify. Like all games at this level, it will be tough for us."

However, he is also taking extra precaution as he knows that anything can happen with the level of competition in Europe's top-tier.

"They are the top team in Bulgaria. We've obviously had them watched and did a lot of research and analysis once we knew they were in our group," he added.

"They are a team that want to attack and want to work well. We will respect them like we would if we were playing Real Madrid."

Meanwhile, his counterpart and Eagles manager Georgi Dermendzhiev admitted that they might have to take a conservative approach at Anfield, but will try to maximise opportunities handed to them on offence.

"There is a saying in football that a team plays as much as the opposition allows them," he said.

"But, of course, if we need to play defensively we will, but we will also use every chance to attack."

"We have our own attacking style and we plan to use it whenever we can."

Squad Updates

Liverpool: Mignolet; Manquillo, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Gerrard, Henderson; Sterling, Coutinho, Lallana; Balotelli (4-2-3-1)

Injured/Out: Emre Can (suspended), Lazar Marković (suspended), Daniel Sturridge (thigh), Glen Johnson (thigh), Jon Flanagan (knee)

Doubtful: Joe Allen (knee), Martin Škrtel (knee)

Ludogorets: Borjan; Caiçara, A Aleksandrov, Moți, Minev; M Dyakov, Espinho; M Aleksandrov, Marcelinho, Misidjan; Bezjak (4-2-3-1)

Injured/Out: Vladislav Stoyanov (suspended), Ivan Čvorović (shoulder)

Schedule: Sept 17, 4:45 am, Sydney time; Sept 16, 7:45 pm, Liverpool time

Live Stream Information: UEFA.com, LFCTV, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2Go

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