Brendan Rodgers insists his side will be relishing their return to European competition, after their abject and toothless UEFA Champions League campaign ended earlier than hoped in December.

The Reds won just one of six group games, which came at home to Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets Razgrad - whilst losing three against Real Madrid and Basel. 

But since, the Reds have steadily began to find their feet and they approach their Europa League clash against Besiktas with more confidence, and a different system.

"We’ll find out, if we play that way, but it’s a way of working which suits our players," said the Reds boss, when asked whether his makeshift 3-4-2-1 system will work in Europe.

"There’s no tougher league than Premier League – it’s a real tough competition with top class players and outstanding managers. So for us it has worked very well.

"If we decide to play that way in European competition then we hold no fear.

"The system is irrelevant, it’s about a return to identity as a team and the style of football which is ultimately out there between games."

The Thursday evening clash will be their third game in nine days and their 41st in total this season, but Rodgers added they will be able to maintain the battle for success and silverware domestically and in Europe. 

"I said at the beginning of the season one of objectives was to win a trophy, hopefully you will have seen from our efforts we want to do everything we can to win a trophy," Rodgers said.

"This competition is no different, it’s a very prestigious competition and one we want to do well in. Our focus is on the next game, our players over a number of games have been fantastic and we want to continue with mentality and performance level."

Rodgers will be without skipper Steven Gerrard, who remains out after a hamstring injury suffered last week: "He won't have a chance for tomorrow. We just need to assess on a daily basis where Steven is at.

The Northern Irishman has a few injury worries, with Raheem Sterling awaiting a late fitness test and Lucas Leiva definitely out, but he was also quizzed about the length of Lazar Markovic's ban.

The 20-year-old Serb was sent off in their final Champions League game against Basel back in December, and has been given a four-game European ban by UEFA.

"We were obviously disappointed with the length of the ban," responded Rodgers. "We felt it was very harsh but we accept it and unfortunately he won’t be able to contribute. Hopefully he will play many more European games for the club."

Talking of his opponents, Slaven Bilic's Super Lig frontrunners, Rodgers continued: "It is a tough game against Besiktas, a team that are obviously very strong in their own country; they have got good experience of playing games in this country, you saw their recent games against Tottenham and Arsenal.

"So we know it will be a tough game, but it's very much about looking to take a lead into the second leg, looking to win the game here in the best way that we can.

"We're very confident at the moment in terms of our performance. Our focus is really only the next game.

"The players over a number of games have been absolutely fantastic. We just want to continue with this mentality and performance level."

Rodgers, who has earned praise for his bold tactics, has clearly done his homework on Bilic's side. He told reporters at the Melwood training ground on Wednesday morning: "They play in a system that is effective - the front four, with Demba Ba as the reference at the top of the pitch, and the other three players in behind that move well around the team.

"They are solid behind that and they showed that in the two games against Tottenham, that they are defensively strong. They are a team that is used to winning so they have a mentality which is to win.

"Any time they have come up against an English team recently, they have always made it very difficult. They are a good side and we expect a tough game over the two legs."