Advertisement
A frustrated Fernando Torres PETER DEJONG/AP/Press Association Images
Europa League

Europa League mop up: Reds toil in Utrecht as City earn a point

Liverpool were held scoreless in Utrecht whilst Manchester City came from behind to draw with Juventus at Eastlands.

Liverpool laboured to a scoreless draw with Utrecht in the Netherlands last night with Fernando Torres struggling to find form. Meanwhile Manchester City also drew, coming from a goal down to hold Juventus at Eastlands.

In the evening’s earlier kick off in Utrecht, Torres missed two chances that he would normally put away.

Despite being declared as fully fit by Roy Hodgson before the game the Spanish World Cup winner was anything but on top form with still only one goal to his name so far this season.

The Reds boss had to defend his striker afterwards:

We know he can do more, we expect more, he expects more. But it’s early in the season and we’ve got to be patient. You can’t fault his work-rate at the moment, he’s just after that elusive goal.

Hodgson deployed Raul Meireles at right wing and had the Portuguese international to thank for clearing off the line from Michael Silberbauer.

Utrecht also went close when Alje Schut volleyed over from six yards and Jacob Mulenga prodded the best opportunity wide when he ghosted through a static defence with seven minutes remaining.

Torres’ two second half efforts, one skied over and one hit wide, were as much as Liverpool could muster as the Reds made it four games without a win in all competitions. But they stay top of Group K

It was a better night for Manchester City who came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Italian giants Juventus to go joint top of Group A.

City recovered from an opening setback with Juventus rewarded for the early domination with a goal from Alberto Iaquinta who’s drive from distance beat Joe Hart.

But Roberto Mancini’s side battled back and after Gareth Barry’s header hit a post, winger Adam Johnson met Yaya Toure’s incisive pass to slot home on 37 minutes.

The second half was one of few chances. City dominated possession but could muster very little in front of goal. Carlos Tevez and David Silva did come close to breaching the Juve defence to late on but City made do with a point.

Afterwards Mancini confirmed that defender Pablo Zabaleta will miss Sunday’s game against Newcastle as City’s injury problems continue to mount.

I am concerned about the situation. If we had all our strikers available probably sometimes Carlos could miss a game. But we knew we would have a problem with injuries until the end of this month.

For a full round up of last night’s Europa League action head for UEFA.com