Source: Liverpool_Echo
Fernando Torres flies out for Utrecht clash but Steven Gerrard stays at home
Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt celebrate against Benfica 300[LNB]FERNANDO TORRES is ready to spearhead Liverpool's attack in Utrecht tomorrow night - but Steven Gerrard will miss the trip to Holland.[LNB]Liverpool's squad flew out for their second game in Europa League Group K today without their skipper - who has been rested - and defender Daniel Agger.[LNB]However, the good news for Reds fans centred around Torres, who was part of a strong travelling party which includes Jamie Carragher, Joe Cole, Raul Meireles, Pepe Reina and Dirk Kuyt.[LNB]This is only the fifth time in the past 12 months that Torres has been involved in a European away trip and the first since the Europa League quarter-final with Benfica in April.[LNB] Agger's absence from the squad will raise some eyebrows, given that both recognised left-backs Paul Konchesky (hamstring) and Fabio Aurelio (Achilles tendon) are absent through injury.[LNB]Roy Hodgson, though, does have the option of playing Martin Kelly in that role again, as he did when Liverpool beat Trabzonspor 2-1 in Turkey last month.[LNB]Kelly has played in all five of Liverpool Europa League games this season so far and was one of the few to emerge from last week's Carling Cup defeat against Northampton with credit.[LNB]Jay Spearing is another younger member of the squad who is desperate to be included after doing so well in the opening 4-1 victory over Steaua Bucharest two weeks ago.[LNB]He said: "These are two big games for everyone. I'd love to be involved if possible. We need three points against Blackpool (on Sunday) to get us up the table again.[LNB]"We could also do with the three points from Utrecht. We are going there looking to win. We know it is going to difficult but we are full of confidence after beating Steaua."[LNB]Utrecht have made an indifferent start to the Eredivise campaign, taking nine points from their first seven games, and warmed up for tomorrow's game with a 1-0 defeat against AZ Alkmaar.[LNB]But they are unbeaten in four games at the Stadion Galgenwaard without conceding a goal and they drew 0-0 with Napoli on Matchday One in Naples.[LNB]Goalkeeper Pepe Reina, meanwhile, is asking fans to show patience as Liverpool adapt to the on-the-field changes introduced by new manager Roy Hodgson.[LNB]And the Spanish international goalkeeper admits he is having to make adjustments to his own game as the Reds attempt to bed into a new playing pattern under the new boss.[LNB]Liverpool have endured a bumpy ride through the early weeks of Hodgson's reign, taking six points from the opening six Premier League games and bowing out of the Carling Cup in embarrassing fashion to Northampton Town of League Two last week.
