Liverpool vs. FC Utrecht: Squad List and Preview

Liverpool travel to take on Dutch rivals FC Utrecht this evening, in what promises to be another thrilling chapter in what has been a disappointing season for the Reds thus far.

Liverpool will have been dealt a blow in the midfield with captain Steven Gerrard being rested for tonight's clash, as well as defender Daniel Agger also being left out of the travelling squad suffering a torn groin.

Manager Roy Hodgson has stated that Dirk Kuyt is fit again after a shoulder injury and is expected to face his former club, while at the same time ruling out Paul Konchesky (hamstring) and Fabio Aurelio (Achilles) again sit this one out.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Jones, Johnson, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Carragher, Shelvey, Poulsen, Lucas, Rodriguez, Spearing, Babel, Meireles, Jovanovic, Cole, Kuyt, Eccleston, Ngog, Torres.

Liverpool have made a flawless start to life in Europe’s Europa league, having won all fixtures thus far- although four of these being qualifiers.

However, this is in stark contrast to a Liverpool team performing domestically, with many assuming that poor results in both the Carling Cup as well as Premier League might play a role here tonight

You could say that with the Carling Cup gone, and the Premier League seemingly out of reach, that the Europa League is now of great importance- something that Reds fans believe will spur them on

This clash is a difficult one to weigh up, with Utrecht’s impressive record at home this season creating doubt with regards to Liverpool’s one sided dominance tonight

If this were a Liverpool side in form there would not be any question regarding the result, however with their morale and confidence well and truly battered the long odds suggest a tighter game than normal

In that spirit, the bookies are not wagering on a high scoring affair with a 1-0 Reds win netting odds at 7.0, with the same result towards the Dutch at 9.0

A 1-1 draw is also being put at a largely conservative 7.0 even

As Liverpool are poor travellers, they normally save the attacking approach for home games, however with Joe Cole and Fernando Torres waiting in the wings to pounce, tonight is the night that they shine posting a few more goals than normal.