Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has welcomed their Europa League draw.

The draw in Monaco placed the Reds in Group A where they will take on Italian outfit Udinese, Swiss side Young Boys and big-spending FC Anzhi Makhachkala of Russia.

"It's always interesting to see who you get," Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com. "They are games that we will relish. The history of this club is based on European games and we are really looking forward to the challenge of getting into the next stages between now and Christmas.

"I think first and foremost it was another step forward for us on Thursday night in qualifying. We had tough games against Gomel and Hearts.

"A British cup tie like the one against Hearts was always going to be difficult but we came through it and we're making the step forward into the group stages now. We've got three teams that will all be difficult games for us."