Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FC: It's the same old story as they are held in Utrecht
SO much for the glorious homecoming. Dirk Kuyt returned to his old stomping ground last night but it was the return of familiar failings which wrote Liverpool's headlines.[LNB]While it should be stressed that drawing 0-0 away from home in Europe can never be described as a bad result, it was difficult not to feel disappointed with Liverpool as they laboured to a goalless draw with FC Utrecht.[LNB]The locals expected big things of a Liverpool side that, with the exception of Steven Gerrard, was at full strength but, ultimately, they left disappointed as, not for the first time this season, Roy Hodgson's men looked devoid of attacking ideas.[LNB]This was billed as Utrecht's biggest footballing night since the visit of Real Madrid in 1991 and the home supporters gathered in the hope of seeing a goal blitz similar to the one which blew Celtic away in the play-off game last month.[LNB] The reality, though, was completely different. Moments of genuine excitement produced by either side were few and far between in an encounter that could be summed up quite comfortably in one, simple word - tepid.[LNB]Liverpool struggled to impose themselves and rarely did you get the impression they were capable of crafting an eviscerating move, even though Joe Cole, Raul Meireles and Fernando Torres were on the pitch.[LNB]For those Reds who made the short hop across the North Sea, it made for uncomfortable viewing. Torres' body language betrayed him but that was hardly surprising as he was being asked to win headers close to halfway or scamper after balls pumped towards the corner flag.[LNB]Everyone knows the key to getting the best out of Torres revolves around getting him on the shoulder of the final man, a position that induces panic in the opposition ranks.
