Source: Daily_Mail
Fernando Torres sent for target practice in Europa League to end poor form
Roy Hodgson will give Fernando Torres an unexpected start on Wednesday night in an attempt to arrest his worrying run of form. There is nothing riding on Liverpool's Europa League meeting with FC Utrecht as Hodgson's team secured top spot in Group K when they drew 1-1 with Steaua Bucharest in Romania two weeks ago. For Torres, however, this has suddenly become a vital game. He has been poor of late, his efforts characterised by an anaemic display in Saturday's 3-1 Barclays Premier League defeat to Newcastle. Hit and miss: Fernando Torres has not scored in four games and failed to impress for Liverpool during last weekend's defeat at NewcastleTorres has not scored for four games and, more worryingly for the player and his manager, he has been squandering the type of chances which he used to dispatch with ruthless efficiency. With that in mind, Hodgson is hoping Torres will be able to indulge in some target practice against opponents who need to become the first Dutch side to win at Anfield if they are to stand any chance of reaching the round of 32. Enlarge 'This is a good opportunity,' said Hodgson. 'Having had a chat with Fernando, I think he'll enjoy it. I'm hoping things will go okay and I can move him out before the end of the game. 'He's happy to play and he wants to play so, with David Ngog not being fit, I think it would be foolish of me not to use him.' That Hodgson is using the player, though, illustrates how out of sorts Torres is. Earlier in the campaign, Hodgson said he would use Torres and Steven Gerrard in the Europa League sparingly and this will be Torres' first involvement in the competition since September 30. 'He is a lot fitter than he was at the start when we were really just trying to wrap him in cotton wool,' said Hodgson. 'He had just come back from the World Cup and our medical staff were concerned about him playing three matches in a week. But he is fitter and stronger now. Fernando knows how well he's played in the past and when things are not going well for him he is the first to recognise that. 'I am hoping he'll have a good game that will improve his confidence. There's nothing to lose. I've said to Fernando that we believe he's a very fine player. 'He is one of the best front players in Europe and the fact that maybe he has not played at his level over the past couple of months doesn't change that.' Still smarting from a result in the North East that left him 'angry and saddened', Hodgson is demanding a much improved performance this evening - not least because NESV's principles John W Henry and Tom Werner will be in the crowd. Henry's comments on a live phone-in on the club's television channel on Monday night that results this season have been 'unacceptable' could have caused an issue with some managers but Hodgson was in agreement with Liverpool's new owner. 'I have got to say the owners have talked sense all along,' said Hodgson. Up and running: Hodgson hopes the striker can get back on the goal trail by scoring against Dutch outfit FC Utrecht'Their vision for the club is spot on. People have made mileage about the current results being unacceptable but if I was on the phone, I would have been saying the same thing. 'I did not join Liverpool to be in mid-table. I came here because I believed we could be in the top four, in the Champions League and win things. That's my ambition. 'The owners have made it perfectly clear they are in it for the long term and they are going to be patient. They realise the team I am working with is not the team I put together.' No one can do a better job than me at Liverpool - unless owners splash the cash, insists Roy HodgsonGerrard's on track for Fulham clash, reveals Liverpool boss HodgsonLiverpool chief tells Hodgson: We want improvement but won't panic!LIVERPOOL FC