Source: Telegraph
FC Utrecht 0 Liverpool 0: match report
They had been waiting a lifetime for Liverpool in Utrecht. For days in the build-up to this fixture, this was the only show in town. [LNB]The visit of the five-time European champions for this Europa League tie, the locals said, was the biggest game in their team's history. How disappointed they must have been. How deceptive packaging can be. [LNB] Related ArticlesFC Utrecht v Liverpool: as it happenedHodgson backs fit-again TorresReina: it could be months before Liverpool clickDeschamps: Liverpool approached meLiverpool fans must be patientKuyt: Torres going nowhereRoy Hodgson, the Liverpool manager, had been keen to point out on the eve of Utrecht's first-ever encounter with English opposition that history counts for nothing.[LNB] 'This is Utrecht 2010 versus Liverpool 2010,' he said. The latter is clearly not a fine vintage. The lofty reputation that lies in tatters in the Premier League is equally misleading in Europe, it seems. [LNB]Hodgson, one avenue to silverware cut off last week by the hardly imposing roadblock of League Two Northampton, has clearly resolved not to lose a second before winter. [LNB]This was a stronger side than that which dismantled Steaua Bucharest at Anfield a fortnight ago, with Fernando Torres restored to European competition and only Steven Gerrard absent from Liverpool's nominal first XI. [LNB]The idea, clearly, was to secure the away win which would go a long way to guaranteeing Liverpool's involvement in Europe come spring, rather than risking another defeat to opponents most would expect to see swatted aside. [LNB]Things are rarely that simple with Liverpool 2010, though. Where Hodgson had clearly hoped for a performance to lift spirits after a week of [LNB]disappointments - beginning at Old Trafford, taking in Northampton and ending against Sunderland - the most impressive side he could name side could only manage a further reminder of how far they have fallen. The problems are mounting. [LNB]Too narrow, too slow, too deep. No ideas, no fluency, no style. A £17 million full back, Glen Johnson, who misplaced a five yard pass in the first five seconds and scarcely improved after that. A £10 million central midfielder, Raul Meireles, deployed on the right. [LNB]A priceless striker who, if he is fit, as Hodgson believes, is woefully short of form. No wonder Liverpool found themselves fortunate not to be behind at the break. [LNB]The visitors, as they had against Northampton and Sunderland, had made a bright enough start, Meireles stinging Michael Vorm's palms and Cole miscuing a shot just past the post. [LNB]It was the hosts, though, the hosts who had made it clear this was the biggest night in their European history, who had feted their illustrious guests, who afforded Dirk Kuyt a standing ovation on his return to his first club, who had the better chances. [LNB]They were unfortunate to see Jan Wuytens's effort, a spectacular, spinning volley, ruled out for a push, while Pepe Reina had to be at his alert best to deny Dries Mertens after Kuyt failed to clear Jacob Mulenga's header. [LNB]Tom Cornelisse should have done better than drill a six-yard header six yards wide from the resultant corner. [LNB]There was more to come after the break. Though Torres wasted two good chances to hand the visitors a barely-warranted lead - firing over from a [LNB]Johnson cross and then seeing Vorm tip a point-blank effort round the post after good work from Kuyt - every time Utrecht attacked, Liverpool shuddered. [LNB]Meireles was forced to clear off the line from Michael Silberbauer, after the usually impeccable Reina flapped at a cross, defender Aljo Schut headed wide a free kick from the impressive Dries Mertens and Siberbauer fired wide after a poor clearance from Jamie Carragher. They creaked and they cracked. [LNB]The best chance, though, fell to Mulenga, with just 10 minutes to play, as communication between Martin Kelly and Reina failed, the Zambian sneaked in and placed his shot agonisingly wide. Liverpool held on. [LNB]There could be no more damning assessment than that. [LNB]
