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Liverpool v Utrecht

Despite the result and most of the individual performances, that was still a very winnable game for Liverpool at St James’ Park and if Roy Hodgson doesn’t figure out how to get his team playing with confidence away from home, then he may find a p45 waiting in his stocking come Christmas morning. What could keep his neck clear of thechopping block is playing four of the next five games at Anfield.

What the manager has promised is that he’ll be playing a more senior side than would generally be expected, in front of what should be a packed out, if slightly higher pitched Anfield. The reasoning, we can only presume, is that he wants to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible, regardless of the significance of the game. Especially with his former club Fulham visiting Merseyside on Saturday afternoon.

The Europa League has proven more forgiving for Hodgson so far this season and with top spot in the table secured and FC Utrecht already out of the competition, there are no excuses for not going for this game from the start. The Dutch side are having a so-so league season, managing just one draw from their last four away games in the Eredivisie. In the Europa League they haven’t exactly been pushovers, drawing four from five, but with nothing to play for here, an early Liverpool goal should see heads start to drop.

If Liverpool perform as they did against Villa and not as they didn’t against Newcastle, then they will win this one comfortably at 8/15. Fernando Torres is the favourite to break the deadlock at 5/2 but it would be nice to see Hodgson give Babel another chance together up front. The Dutchman is a far stronger bet at evens to score anytime and 4/1 to score first. I’m still convinced Raul Meireles will score sooner rather than later and with Gerrard still out, he’ll be pushing forward and may be worth a punt to score first at 9/1 or anytime at 3/1. Let not forget about old reliable Kuyt who is 9/2 to score first.

If the attitudes are right and there are enough senior players in the starting line-up, then Liverpool -1 goal at 11/10 will come in comfortably. Also tempting is Liverpool to win 3-1 at 10/1.

Let’s hope the The Reds can give their fans a real treat tonight and try and get back to winning ways.