The Soccer Blog: Match Preview: Liverpool v. FC Utrecht, 09.30.10

Friday, 1 October 2010

Match Preview: Liverpool v. FC Utrecht, 09.30.10

By: Ed | September 29th, 2010

Matchday two in the group stage of the Europa League.

Apologies for the lateness and the forthcoming brevity—busy day for me that has no signs of relenting.

Liverpool travel to the Netherlands to face FC Utrecht, who currently sit in the 12th spot domestically and are level with Napoli on one point after matchday one. The Dutch side played out a scoreless draw with the Italians two weeks ago, and, aside from a 2-0 loss at Parkhead against Celtic, it’s the only time they’ve been held scoreless in the competition. They progressed past Celtic with a 4-0 drubbing in the return leg and beat SK Tirana and Lucerne previously.

They’re led in the Eriedivsie by Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who, aside from having one of the best names in European football, has netted seven goals in seven league matches. He’s been lighting it up in Europe as well, with six goals in six qualifying matches prior to the group stage. Nana Asare and Dries Mertens provide the goalscoring support, and goalkeeper Michel Vorm has started all 14 matches thus far.

For Liverpool:

1. Who will start for Liverpool?
2. What’s the most important factor for the Reds?
3. Who’s going to win and what’s going to be the scoreline?

1. Who will start for Liverpool?

Reina
Johnson Carragher Kyrgiakos Kelly
Kuyt Lucas Poulsen Jovanovic
Cole
Ngog

—News about the squad came out earlier today; most notably, Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger are left out, while Fernando Torres makes the trip after watching the last match from the stands.

—Easy to name Dirk Kuyt here, as it’s a homecoming for the Dutchman. The rest of the midfield doesn’t play out so clearly, and it’ll be interesting to see if Lucas gets a lifeline from Roy Hodgson. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a more “defensive” central midfield partnership that leaves Raul Meireles out, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

—There’s really no choice at the back other than Martin Kelly, and I mean that in the most literal way possible. Danny Wilson didn’t make the squad, Agger’s at home, and Paul Konchesky and Fabio Aurelio are injured. Enter Kelly.

—I know that Torres’ inclusion is a big deal, but I’m not so sure that he starts. I’m not exactly in love with the idea of him traveling and not playing/making a late cameo, although that does leave fresher legs for Blackpool’s visit on Sunday.

2. What’s the most important factor for the Reds?

Continuing to make this one a feel-good—Liverpool haven’t dropped any points thus far in Europe despite some underwhelming performances, and a 100% record regardless of the competition is a good thing. It certainly won’t be easy, but if they can grind out a result tomorrow and six points out of six in their first two group stage matches would be a great way to start.

3. Who’s going to win and what’s going to be the scoreline?

I think 2-0 Liverpool after another shaky first half. Kuyt with the sentimental goal on his return, and David Ngog to extend his European success.

This one’s televised stateside and in the UK—GolTV for the former and ITV4 for the latter. For those that have neither, a matchday post will be up tomorrow morning with news and links for ways to watch.

Have a good Wednesday, all.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:Match Preview: Liverpool v. Trabzonspor, 08.26.10Match Preview: Liverpool v. Steaua Bucharest, 09.16.10Match Preview: Liverpool v. Birmingham City, 09.12.10Match Preview: Liverpool v. Sunderland, 09.25.10Match Preview: Liverpool v. Trabzonspor, 08.19.10

Category: Europa League, Match Previews, Team News

Tags: Christian Poulsen, Daniel Agger, David Ngog, Dirk Kuyt, Europa League, Fernando Torres, Glen Johnson, Jamie Carragher, Lucas, Martin Kelly, Martin Škrtel, Match Previews, Milan Jovanovic, Pepe Reina, Raúl Meireles, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Steven Gerrard, Team News
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INCABRUCEFifa 11 has been consuming my life. Anybody else?

Liverpool 2-1. Dirk and Ngog with one a piece, but the shaky defense leaves a few holes exploited by the dutch side.DNAI think Liverpool will take this one 1-0. I don't care so much for the result as long as it yields upwards of 1 point but what I would love is to see Liverpool offer a much improved attack. I hope they regress back to the Spring of 2009 where they annihilated teams left, right and center.

I would be quite happy and content even if they get a 0-0 or a 1-1 draw but have at least a dozen and a half solid attempts at goal.Red2deathActually slightly disappointed he didn't bring more senior players along. Yes, they need rest and all, but what they also need is a good morale-boosting win on a good european night. With Blackpool on Sunday (no disrespect to Blackpool) this is a good week for some experimentation. Also, with us out of the Carling Cup, chances like this are few and far between.

I hope Torres plays at some point. And scores.

Two possible line-ups:

1) Hodgson to try a different attacking formation. 4-3-1-2, Kuyt upfront with Ngog; Cole supporting; Lucas (cringe) Meireles Jovanovic in midfield. Flat back four self-selected by circumstance. Liverpool refreshed, get a comfortable win.

2) Hodgson to stick to what he knows best. Lucas-Poulsen in midfield, Ngog alone up front. Jovanovic and Kuyt on the wings with orders to cut inside whenever humanly possible. Liverpool to still grind out a result after a shaky performance. Hodgson to be totally satisfied afterwards.GalahadThreepwoodMy take:

1. Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Kelly
Cole Meireles Lucas Jovanovic
Babel Ngog

2. Victory and restoration of confidence. I know this is probably a forlorn hope, but maybe a good result against Utrecht can get us into a good frame of mind for Blackpool this Sunday. I know, I know. But I've got to hold on to something, right?

3. 2-0 Reds sounds reasonable to me. Come on, Liverpool, let's turn it around!
RoscoI Share your optimism mate, though I did think the same pre- west brom, Birmingham then Sunderland.
I mean, it has to turn around at some point right???steadyangI like to think the same. But the performance isn't indicate any turn around so far. I will not mind a draw for Bir & Sun if we show some positive in those games, such as we are creating lot of chances, just that luck not at our side. But the fact was, we are just simply lousy. It iss not my expectation is too high, judging how big our club suppose to be, "LIVERPOOL".
I will want Torres to play, if not full games. In my opinion, all legs are quite fresh in this very begining of the season, no need to spare for Sunday match, Torres need to shake of the rust from his leg rather than keep them fresh. Sorry, it still bother me on Torres form, the ball he lay to Kuyt for the stealed goal, I think he push too short, Kuyt has to stretch to slot in the goal, should be easy one. That worry me, it happen on many occasion, his touch was poor. I could only think is Rust.
I want Johnson to try the right wing, which I always want it, he is another Bale to be. Not sure this ever cross Roy's mind, but I think the chance is slim, it did not help with the left back vacant.
Who to start, if it mean expect to start and not my preference, then it will be same as what Ed's suggest, only 1 different is Raul M for Pouslen.
Important factor - Do not play the way they play on the last 3 matches, I mean for better but not worst.
Score line - I admit I am not very familiar with the Opponent, but 1-1 is the likely one.RoscoAgree with Noel been wanting to see the Lucas/meireles partnership come to fruition as "pucas" ain't quite cutting it, same goes for "muleson". Be a nice reunion for dirk, have visited Utrecht before their daft for football and appreciate previous stars returning ( just mentioned Michael mols and I was taken as a local!)
Forsee a comfortable victory tomorrow, as I have a few other games this season. . . No scratch, that 5-0 UtrechtNoelTrying to match fears and hopes with likely realities, if this isn't the match to pair Meireles and Lucas then I don't know what is...

Reina
Johnson Carragher Kyrgiakos Kelly
Cole Meireles Lucas Jovanovic
Kuyt Ngog

Still, I don't know where the width comes from: same conundrum as always with naturally narrow outside midfielders and a defensive set up that gets in the way of the fullbacks providing width. I hope to see a change in the defensive approach to suit the available players; I expect that if there is any tactical change it will be with trying to get the outside midfielders to provide width. Though if Poulsen does start with Lucas as I half fear, and the wide midfielders are the ones providing the width rather than support in the box, then who the hell supports the striker(s).

Bah, it just doesn't fit together, no matter how you tweak it to allow the prefered defensive approach and personnel. Solve one problem and it makes a new one. Either no width or no central support.

And so we're back to hoping for a new defensive set-up and transition game that doesn't make every possible option in attack the "wrong" one.

Still, as you say, things have looked a little better in Europe so far, so sure, let's say 2-0.blog comments powered by Disqus

Already candidates for succeeding Capello are stepping forward Fabio Capello WILL Step down after Euro 2012 Two games, Two wins. Where from here? more news...

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Friday, 1 October 2010

Match Preview: Liverpool v. FC Utrecht, 09.30.10

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