Roy Hodgson Calls For Patience With Torres

Roy Hodgson has called for Liverpool fans to be patient with striker Fernando Torres after they could only muster a 0-0 draw against Utrecht.

Liverpool do top Group K after a win and a draw in their opening two games and while it was a solid game from the English club it failed to build any momentum for the struggling side.

Torres had a couple of chances to bag the winner for Liverpool but he still looks a shadow of his former self and manager Hodgson is asking for patience.

Speaking to the BBC he said:  "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."

And while they Liverpool didn't come away with a win the gaffer was happy with the single point that put that top of the group.

"I thought it was a good point. We knew it was going to be a tough game.

"It wasn't a dull 0-0. Utrecht did well. Utrecht were very committed. We saw a good team. They came into this game with enormous confidence. We will take a good point back to Liverpool."

Torres cut a frustrated figure up front last night, and while he had chances he is still missing the sharpness that has made him so dangerous in the past.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw