Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson targets Europa League clash for players to gel
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is planning to field his strongest side in the midweek Europa League clash with Utrecht to give Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Raul Meireles more game time together. [LNB]Hodgson is pleased with how the trio are starting to link up and sees Thursday night's clash away in Holland as the perfect opportunity for them to further develop that bond. [LNB]Liverpool have won just once in the league so far this term and were dumped out of the Carling cup by League Two Northampton last week but have shown better form in Europe, winning all five of their games. [LNB] Off the mark: Hodgson is pleased with how well Torres is linking up with Kuyt and Meireles[LNB]'It's on my mind to play Torres, Meireles and Kuyt on Thursday,' he said. 'I think they're knitting together well.[LNB]'I thought Torres was much, much different (against Sunderland) to the one in the first couple of games.[LNB]European adventure: Liverpool are set to field a strong side against Utrecht[LNB]'People wanted to see his best the moment he stepped back on to the field after the World Cup, but I said he needed games, he needed time.[LNB]'He was unlucky not to score one of the goals of the month, with that magnificent control and volley that was inaccurately ruled out for offside.[LNB]'It was only Meireles' second start and there was another start for Joe Cole. There are moments giving me satisfaction but I know it's a big job and I can't just wave a magic wand and Liverpool will suddenly dominate English football again. But there were a lot of pleasing factors.'[LNB]'We were helped with a few nice results on Saturday, but when you don't capitalise on it, it leaves a sense of disappointment. We've got to focus on (Sunderland) next week. It's a long season and we've only just started. We're disappointed, but we'll bounce back.'[LNB] GRAHAM POLL: Until Steven Gerrard and co start showing Respect, the FA are fighting a losing battleThe 'unsporting' goal that may just have saved Liverpool's season Liverpool 2 Sunderland 2: You are going to keep Kopping it, RoyLIVERPOOL FC
