This time last year, Roy Hodgson had just about had his fill of the Europa League.
The intense schedule of Europe’s second club competition was proving a drain on the resources of his modestly-assembled Fulham side and, though his side were making solid progress on the continent, the challenge of juggling domestic and European commitments with a small squad was proving tough.
One year on, the landscape has changed significantly. Hodgson, of course, guided that small squad on a memorable run to the final. And though they would eventually succumb to Atletico Madrid, Hodgson’s side enjoyed epic wins over the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Hamburg en route. His reputation as a European specialist soared.
At Liverpool, this form has continued. Hodgson’s men ensured their place at the top of Group K with a 1-1 draw at Steaua Bucharest a fortnight ago, and victory against FC Utrecht at Anfield this evening would equal a club record of nine European home games unbeaten, first achieved by Bob Paisley’s great side in the mid-late 70s.
“It has been quite strange for me in recent years,” said Hodgson ahead of the clash, “Of all the European matches I have been involved with – and in my 35-year career I have been playing European games pretty much every year – probably about half of them have come in the last few years.
“I played 10 games with Viking Stavanger before I went off to coach the Finnish national side, I played almost 20 last season with Fulham, and we are already up to more than 10 this season, so I have certainly seen a lot of the Europa League.”
The game tonight, despite technically having no real relevance, should still attract a sizeable crowd to Anfield. Liverpool’s decision to allow under-17s into the game for free – as well as their distribution of free tickets to numerous local schools – has been widely applauded. Hodgson is eager to ensure his side delivers a rousing performance. Accordingly, he is expected to name a strong side.
“Yes, in terms of the group the game makes no difference,” he said, “If you are asking whether I would rather win the group by three points or on goal difference, I’d have to say I don’t really care.
“But this is Anfield, this is 40,000 people, this is a special occasion. I think great credit must go to the club for their decision to allocate free tickets for young supporters, but also great credit must go to the people of Liverpool. Their desire to watch the team, to watch matches here at Anfield is fantastic, and we will do our utmost to deliver a performance and a result to reward them.”
Hodgson has enjoyed a difficult start to his career at Anfield. Defeat to Newcastle last weekend leaves his side ninth in the Premier League table, but the former Fulham boss believes the Europa League represents a genuine chance to pick up a trophy, and says the Anfield atmosphere will ensure his side treats the game with the utmost respect.
“We have to take each game seriously,” he said, “It is important for us to win and to win well, but the only way you can win games and pick up trophies is by playing well
“As far as I am concerned, no matter what the game – whether it is a European game, a Cup game, or a friendly match – it is a privilege to be playing at Anfield. This is what people all over the world dream of; to play at Anfield in front of 40,000 people in a Red shirt is special.
“The message we drum into our players is that every game we play at Anfield is a special occasion. Tonight will be no different.”
No comments:
Post a Comment