Rodgers: We’ll beat race yobs

BRENDAN RODGERS insists he has no fears bringing Liverpool’s young black stars to Russia despite the fear of racist abuse.

And he warns any Zenit fans planning to taunt Raheem Sterling, Glen Johnson and Andre Wisdom that it will only make Liverpool an even tougher nut to crack.

The Reds go into their Europa League clash in St Petersburg with the spectre of racism in Russia hanging over the tie.

Zenit fans caused outrage two months ago by demanding an all-white, heterosexual team and Kop managing director Ian Ayre has already written to the club and UEFA to try and nip any trouble in the bud.

And after the Reds flew out of a Liverpool snowstorm and into a Russian race one, manager Rodgers said any trouble would just turn his team into an even tighter unit.

He said: “Look, no one in life wants to see anyone come under scrutiny like that and we hope the officials and UEFA take care of it.

“But there is no doubt that if there is anything untoward we will do everything to support the player it may happen to.

“I didn’t consider leaving them at home because they all want to play. These are young players who have experienced this in their life but, hopefully, the referee, UEFA and officials will support any player it may affect.

“Some are young, wanting to progress, while others like Glen are top internationals.

“Raheem has been through something like this. It will very much unite the group.”

Sterling was in the England Under-21 side which suffered abuse after winning their Euro 2013 play-off in Serbia in October.

And although Rodgers has not brought up the issue with his players, he plans to do so before tonight’s last-32 first-leg game.

He added: “I haven’t spoken directly to them but we still have a few meetings before the game.

“I will make reference to it because we have some who it could affect.

“But we are here for football and very hopeful anything outside the field can be taken care of.

“It is a social issue and over the last 20 years in Britain there has been a lot of work outside football to prevent racism.

“It is a social aspect of life but no matter what your colour, race or creed, everyone is equal.”

For their part, Zenit — who only signed their first black players when they bought Hulk and Alex Wittsel in the summer — insist they are doing everything to ensure their hardcore Ultras do not disrupt the game.

A spokesman for the Russians revealed: “We are working at full strength with UEFA to ensure the safety of all players and fans at Petrovsky Stadium.

“We at Zenit have always condemned racism. We strongly underline that tolerance is the only possible mode of development for our club, football and sport in general.”

This is Liverpool’s only hope of a trophy this season which is why Steven Gerrard has travelled to his first European away game of the campaign.

LIVERPOOL (likely): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique, Henderson, Gerrard, Allen, Downing, Borini, Suarez.