Liverpool have made three changes to their 21-man UEFA Europa League squad with Steven Caulker, Joao Carlos Teixeira and Danny Ward the three to come in.

Ward, recalled from a loan spell at Aberdeen last month, replaces back-up goalkeeper Adam Bogdan in the Reds' squad, whilst long-term casualties Danny Ings and Joe Gomez have also made the way.

The pair, who are both sidelined through anterior cruciate ligament injuries suffered just days after Jürgen Klopp's arrival, won't play again until next season and have therefore been removed.

Caulker is a surprising addition, having only started once since signing on loan from QPR last month. (Picture: Getty Images)
Caulker is a surprising addition, having only started once since signing on loan from QPR. (Picture: Getty Images)

But despite on-loan defender Caulker and Teixeira, who is fighting to prove himself worthy of a more prominent role in Klopp's squad with his Merseyside contract running down, coming in - Jon Flanagan has been left out.

The local-born full-back recently confirmed his return to fitness from an 18-month lay-off with a knee injury that twice required surgery, but has been excluded from the squad - as has Jose Enrique, whose future at Anfield seems up despite captaining an understrength side in an FA Cup replay against Exeter City recently.

Amongst the others not listed are Jordon Ibe, Brad Smith, Cameron Brannagan, Pedro Chirivella and Jordan Rossiter - all of whom have played for Liverpool in the tournament already this term - though they are available having been born after 1 January 1994.

Among the others left out are Kevin Stewart, who is over 21-year-old and ineligible and Tiago Ilori - whose future at the club is uncertain having been left out in favour of on-loan centre-back Caulker.

Klopp has only overseen four European games as Liverpool boss - winning two and drawing two. (Picture: Getty Images)
Klopp has only overseen four European games at Liverpool - winning two and drawing two. (Picture: Getty Images)

UEFA's rules allow every team in the knockout stages to make up to three changes to the squad originally submitted before the competition began, with previous manager Brendan Rodgers' decision to omit Teixeira for the group stage squad sparking surprise.

31 of the 32 clubs have made changes, with only Serie A outfit Napoli choosing not to do so, with Liverpool preparing to return to action in Europe against FC Augsburg later this month.

The Reds travel to Germany for the first leg on February 18, with the second leg at Anfield taking place on February 25 as the two teams fighting for a place in the Round of 16.

They finished top of Group B to reach the Last 32, having won three and drawn three of their games against Rubin KazanBordeaux and FC Sion - the other team to reach the knockout stages.

Liverpool's Europa League squad in full

Goalkeepers: Simon Mignolet, Danny Ward.

Defenders: Nathaniel Clyne, Alberto Moreno, Steven Caulker, Kolo Touré, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, Martin Skrtel.

Midfielders: Lucas Leiva, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Emre Can, Joe Allen, Joao Carlos Teixeira, Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino.

Forwards: Divock Origi, Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke.