Liverpool boss Hodgson admits he will not select his strongest line-up for tonight's Champions League tie with Steaua Bucharest.
Having learned his lessons from his run to the Europa League final last season with Fulham, the Liverpool boss is keen to avoid the pitfalls of over-playing people too early in the campaign.
"It is up to me to try to choose a team tomorrow which will win the game and possibly give some of the players [who are] needed to play against Manchester United a well-deserved break," he said.
"I will use games in Europa League and Carling Cup in order to try to get a better knowledge of he players to make certain, as time goes on, I have no doubts what our best XI is.
"Dirk Kuyt (shoulder) is out and Fabio Aurelio (Achilles) we have to wait for but we are not picking up injuries so I have quite a big squad to choose from.
"Everyone in the country understands that to play the number of games we and teams like ourselves have to play you have to change the team.
"What I don't really understand is how every time you change the team and they do not win the selection is criticised."
