Liverpool’s squad named for Europa League fixture against Utrecht
Liverpool’s new boss, Roy Hodgson has decided to play a much stronger squad tonight for their second UEFA Europa League Group K fixture against the Dutch side, Utrecht.
Hodgson’s last few squads have included N’Gog, Stephen, Pacheco and Hansen but this time almost all of the first choice starting eleven would feature against Utrecht. Liverpool have managed to win only one match out of their last five matches. They started
their group stage with a 4-1 victory over Steaua Bucharest and will be hoping for a similar result tonight. A win at this time would surely boost their morale.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s skipper Steven Gerrard and the inspiring defender Daniel Agger have both been dropped from the squad by the manager, along with injured left-back, Fabio Aurelio. But other senior players such as the goalkeeper Reina, legendary defender
Jamie Carragher and striker Fernando Torres would still be travelling to Netherlands and will feature in the match.
By naming a strong side, Liverpool manager wants his team to attempt a return to winning ways and also to increase their chemistry with each other. In the League Cup fixture against Steaua, Pepe was the goalkeeper of the team but with Reds taking an early
exit from the Carling Cup, Hodgson now might think that Brad Jones would gain from playing more games in the Europa League.
With almost all of Liverpool’s left backs injured, Martin Kelly will return to the left side of the defense while Glen Johnson will hold his position on the right side. The Greek defender, Kyrgiakos would start for Liverpool in the heart of their defense
and try to maintain a clean sheet. One important aspect of the Liverpool versus Utrecht fixture would be Dirk Kuyt's return to his first professional club. He will start on the right side as a winger and play on the left flank along with Joe Cole.
Moreover, Fernando Torres' addition to the squad indicates that he will definitely feature in the match. The Liverpool attacker aims to revive his scoring touch but with four assists in his last two games he is already a main source of goals for the Reds.
Roy also must have taken the decision on whether to play Meireles behind the sole striker or to draft in N’Gog to play in the 4-4-2 formation.
The central midfield slots are also up for grabs with Lucas and Shelvey hoping to get the chance. Also, Jay Speaing would be hopeful of starting. This 21-year-old was the Man of the Match in his last two fixtures. Finally, Liverpool supporters will be expecting
a better defensive game and a little more proclamation from their side as Liverpool offer to overturn their plummet form which has seemingly run over from the last year.
Liverpool Squad: Pepe, Glen Johnson, Jamie Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Kelly, Jay Spearing, Lucas, Dirk Kuyt, Raul Meireles, Jovanovic and Fernando Torres
Subs: Jones, Skrtel, Shelvey, Babel, Cole, N’Gog, Eccleston, Poulsen, Maxi
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