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By Chris Bevan

2224: And that is me done for the night. Thanks for your company, and I hope you enjoyed two pretty tense and tight games for the British clubs left in the Europa League, which both ended with honours even. Sam Lyon will be back in the chair on Saturday for the final weekend of Premier League action before the weekend break, and I will see you lot very soon.

2218: Just in case you were unaware, Alessandro Del Piero has been at the top for a very, very long time. Further to my stat at 2101, which was about the last time Juve won on these shores. Infostrada Sports tell me that he was the man responsible. Back in the 1997/97 season, during the Champions League group stage, he scored the penalty that saw Juve beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford. He showed tonight he has still got it too, at the ripe old age of 35.

2212: A lot of chat happening on 606 about Fernando Torres possibly leaving Liverpool in January and Emmanuel Adebayor being on his way out of Manchester City at the same time. Sounds the perfect swap deal, doesn't it? (Liverpool fans probably don't need to answer that!)

Champions League Macca: "Sporting got a fifth against Levski Sofia and replace them at the top of Group C. In Man City's group Lech Poznan beat Salzburg 2-0 and join the English side on four points. Bate beat AZ 4-1 and Palermo did for Lausanne with a late Giulio Migliaccio goal."

2202: Tonight's draw means Manchester City are second in Group A behind Lech Poznan, who they play next on 21 October. City, like Poznan, have got four points from two games but the Polish side are top because they have scored more goals.

Manchester City goalscorer Adam Johnson on his side's 1-1 draw with Juventus: "It was hard, an Italian team are always going to come and defend well but we were the better side. They were penned in their own half for a lot of the second half and we probably should have won it."

From redandblackT-The legend of Herbert Kilpin on 606: "The legs may no longer be there but the guile and craft remain. Still a very special player, Del Piero."

2158: I wouldn't go so far as to say that was exciting, but there were undoubtedly a few moments of class at Eastlands tonight. I'll include the match officials in that, especially the man (referee, linesman or fifth assistant) who made the call on Alessandro Del Piero's free-kick not crossing the line (it didn't). Honours even, and probably the right result on the balance of play.

2155: FULL-TIME Man City 1-1 Juventus

From Ojay_Ojay on 606: "No disrespect to Mark Hughes, City under him couldn't have played the type of football on show tonight. Sometimes they've passed it like Barcelona and I'm mightily impressed. As a Liverpool fan, I suppose its bye-bye to Champions League football for a long, long time."

2153: There will be three minutes of injury time at Eastlands. Mohamed Sissoko just came very close to scoring a winner for Juve, after being given space to shoot on the edge of the area, but he sent his rasping effort a yard wide.

2152: Here come Juve again, with Alessandro Del Piero advancing to the edge of the area. He finds Felipe Melo, who makes for goal before being superbly marshalled out of the danger zone by Dedryck Boyata.

2151: Mind you, City are looking dangerous too, with Carlos Tevez and David Silva linking up well inside the Juve area. No end product, but plenty of pressure. I thought both sides were happy with a point, but it appears not. Less than two minutes of the 90 left for someone to win it.

2147: Alessandro Del Piero is going to have a pop here, and he does... wow! It beats Joe Hart, smacks against the bar and bounces down... where? On to, but not over the line according to the replays I've just seen. Close but no cigar for the Italian master.

2147: Felipe Melo (yes, really) bursts past three Manchester City players with a clever turn and feeds Vincenzo Iaquinta... who is dumped to the ground on the edge of the box. Another free-kick for Juve.

2146: Here comes James Milner, replacing Jerome Boateng. Gareth Barry goes to full-back and Milner is in midfield... it appears Roberto Mancini is going for this, well as much as he ever goes for anything anyway.

From DeMan in Manchester, via text: "Adebayor has been dreadful. City should take whatever they can get for him."

2143: It looks like James Milner will be the next City substitute to come on. I wonder what David Platt will say to him before he does?

2142: Vincenzo Iaquinta is a bit put out after losing a game of push-and-shove with Vincent Kompany near the City bye-line and, by the looks of it, the pair exchange some harsh words. Kompany also made sure he fell all over the Italian after the ball had gone out of play. Referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez is happy to let them get on with it though.

2139: About 12 minutes of normal time left at Eastlands. I guess we will find out soon enough how badly both of these sides want a win tonight...

zestex on Twitter: "I have been impressed by Milos Krasic. No wonder Mancini has been on his trail..."

2137: Another change by Juve. Felipe Melo replaces Milos Krasic.

2136: David Platt has finished talking to David Silva and the Spaniard is now on the field. Emmanuel Adebayor is the City player who came off, after a particularly unproductive evening. Still, he was wearing some nice blue boots.

Europa League Macca: "Did you know Helder Postiga's only two goals during his brief spell with Spurs were against England's Europa league sides Man City and Liverpool? More relevant is that he's put Sporting 4-0 up against Levski Sofia. Rade Prica had an even briefer spell at Sunderland. He has also got on the scoresheet tonight, putting Rosenborg 2-1 up against Aris Salonika."

2134: It's change o'clock. David Silva is about to come on for Manchester City but is having a pep-talk off his coach David Platt first. In the meantime, Marco Motta replaces Paolo De Ceglie for the visitors.

2132: Yaya Toure charges forward like an unstoppable truck and feeds Emmanuel Adebayor in the area. This is a chance for City, or at least it should be. Instead, Adebayor takes an age to control the ball and is hustled out of it. Frustrating for the home fans.

thatstevegray on Twitter: "Re 2041. I'm not a scientist but surely Manninger would have to have travelled forward in time from the 1990s?"

2129: City's turn to threaten, and Emmanuel Adebayor should do a lot better here. He leaps to meet Carlos Tevez's cross from the left but fails to make meaningful contact with the ball, which skids off his head and behind for a goal-kick.

2127: Alessandro Del Piero takes it himself, and goes for goal. He's not far away either and Joe Hart is beaten all ends up before turning to see that the ball few about a yard wide rather than into the top corner of his net.

2127: Kolo Toure clips Alessandro Del Piero after some fancy footwork by the veteran Italian. Another free-kick, then... this time about 30 yards out.

2125: Gareth Barry sends Mohamed Sissoko tumbling with a late tackle and that's a yellow card for the England midfielder. It's also a free-kick for Juve, which Vincent Kompany clears expertly after a testing delivery into the six-yard box by Alessandro Del Piero.

2124: Patrick Vieira lofts a ball into the Juve box and Emmanuel Adebayor is in space and onside. Sadly for City, the ball drifts over his head and to safety for the Italian side. City are still doing all the attacking though.

Europa League Macca: "Atletico Madrid have levelled things up at home to Leverkusen through a Sabrosa Simao penalty. Villarreal are beating Brugge 2-1, Bate lead AZ 2-0 and Sporting are 3-0 up against Levski Sofia, while it's Lech Poznan 1-0 SV Red Bull Salzburg in the other game in Man City's group and PAOK Salonika 1-0 Dinamo Zagreb. And Aris Salonika's equaliser has been credited to Carlos Ruiz, not Freddy Adu as it was initially given. Just in case you're interested."

From 11_giggsy_11 on 606: "Juve need to tighten up in midfield. Take Del Piero off and bring on a midfielder. The legendary Italian hasn't got the legs."

2119: More wing wizardry by Adam Johnson, who cuts inside from the right and gets a shot away too. It's low and easily saved by Alex Manninger, but Johnson is giving the visitors plenty to think about at the moment.

From anon, via text: "As a German, I'm really pleased with Jerome Boateng's performance for City tonight. Great crosses. I hope he becomes a regular in their first team. We could use some Premier League grittiness in the German defence."

2116: A change for Juve, who have had to do a lot of defending in the last few minutes. Simone Pepe is on for Jorge Martinez.

2115: The flag is up, so it won't count anyway, but Alex Manninger has just produced a brilliant reaction save to keep out a shot from a stretching Emmanuel Adebayor. Neither of them knew play had been stopped at the time.

2113: I'm told Pablo Zabaleta was taken off as a precaution, because of a muscle problem, rather than any after-effects of having Giorgio Chiellini's knee smashed into his face earlier.

2112: City are showing a bit of intent too. No shots on goal but Carlos Tevez is buzzing around and keeping the visiting defence very busy.

2109: The Italians don't waste much time before bringing a save out of Joe Hart. Quite a comfortable one, mind, because Joe Hart deals easily enough with Alessandro Del Piero's 25-yard effort.

2107: Juventus get us back under way. There's been a change made at half-time by Manchester City. Dedryck Boyata is on for Pablo Zabaleta.

From Gerrardswhiskers on 606: "Enough already about Liverpool. There is a really good game on. Forget about our match and watch this one. If City don't concede first in the first 15 minutes of the second half I reckon they could really run riot. They need the confidence that Mancini is hopefully giving them at half-time though."

2101: Back to Eastlands, and a couple of stats that should give hope to all Manchester City fans. Infostrada Sports tell me that Juventus have lost their last seven visits to England, since drawing 1-1 at Manchester United in 1999. Not only that, but the Italian side have won only two of 19 away matches at English clubs: 2-1 at Aston Villa (Mar '83) and 1-0 at United (Nov '96).

2058: Just in case you missed it earlier, you can read all about the Liverpool game here. Be warned, if you're a Reds fan, you might not want to.

FC Utrecht 0-0 Liverpool
Mandeep Sanghera reports: "Liverpool were hanging on against Utrecht but came through to earn a point and stay top of their Europa League group. Work in progress is a label given them at the moment and it's not wrong as boss Roy Hodgson has plenty to do to turn their struggling fortunes around. "

Europa League Macca: "Atletico Madrid's Europa League campaign is not going to plan so far. The Spaniards lost to Aris Salonika last time around and find themselves trailing to Leverkusen at the break. In the other Group B game the 'new Pele' Freddy Adu has levelled for Aris Salonika at Rosenborg. Villarreal led 10-man Brugge through Giuseppe Rossi's goal but Ryan Donk equalised on the stroke of HT. Elsewhere, Sheriff are 2-0 ahead against Dynamo Kiev, as are Sporting against Levski Sofia and it's Gent 1-1 Lille."

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson on his side's 0-0 draw with Utrecht earlier this evening: "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. We knew we had to be at our best defensively to keep them out. We will take a good point back to Liverpool."

From kaufman39 on 606: "Super goal by City. Adam Johnson is such a confident young boy - wants to get at defences. how oh how England could have done with him in South Africa."

2051: HALF-TIME Man City v Juventus
David Ornstein's half-time snap-shot: "Juve catch City cold with a lightning start but the Carlos Tevez-inspired hosts battle back to level and take the momentum into half-time."

2050: Claudio Marchiso looks up and lets fly from 25 yards out, but his shot barely trickles to the goal, let alone troubles Joe Hart. We will have just one minute of added time at the end of the first half.

2047: I think half of Eastlands held its breath then, when Milos Krasic went over a Vincent Kompany challenge in the City area. Penalty? No, because referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez thinks Krasic took a dive, and books him for his troubles. There was contact, but Krasic made a meal of it. That would definitely have been given if it was at White Hart Lane last night (I'm joking, Spurs fans).

From Mc, via text: "With that atrocious goalie top and horrendously unstylish haircut, Manninger looks like he's been sent back in time from the early 1990s. It's bizarre!"

Man City goal: City turn on the style and level with a superbly worked goal. Yaya Toure spots Adam Johnson's incisive run and finds him with a slipped pass. Johnson is clean through, and beats Alex Manninger (who is wearing a dreadful keepers top) with a cool finish. All-square at Eastlands.

2041: GOALFLASH Man City 1-1 Juventus (Johnson)

From Mr_Muck on 606: "Juve were rubbish last year, but they don't look too bad now. They certainly seem to be getting over Christian Poulsen leaving."

2038: At last City get behind Juve's defence. They should be level, and they very nearly are. First, Gareth Barry's flicked header hits the post, then the rebound eludes Emmanuel Adebayor, before Adam Johnson's snap-shot is saved. Juventus breathe again.

2036: Milos Krasic gets caught by Pablo Zabaleta and Juve have a free-kick about 30 yards out. Within shooting distance? Yes, because Alessandro Del Piero is standing over it.... but he chips in a cross instead, and it is easily cleared.

2034: Nearly half-an-hour gone now, and City are still yet to have a serious effort on goal. Adam Johnson and Jerome Boateng have just had a go from long range but neither got too near the target.

2031: Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchiso doesn't need much encouragement to tumble to the turf, but he is not getting much sympathy from the home crowd, or players for that matter. In fact, City played on when he was down and calling for treatment.

2027: Again, City have a pop but it is nothing much to write home about. Patrick Vieira lets fly from the left-hand side of the area but he drags his effort well wide of the opposite post. Juventus are sitting back a bit, but they are not exactly under pressure.

2024: Another sniff for City. Carlos Tevez cuts in from the left and takes aim... but his shot flashes well wide of Alex Manninger's far post.

Europa League Macca: "A couple of early goals in Group E, with Bate ahead against leaders AZ after an early Vitaly Rodionov goal. Sheriff, who lost to AZ in their opener, are ahead against Dynamo Kiev. In Group C, Ghent are 1-0 ahead against French side Lille."

2022: Pablo Zabaleta is in the thick of things at the moment. First he is fortunate not to concede a penalty when he catches Milos Krasic in his own area then, at the other end, the Manchester City full-back has the pleasure of having Giorgio Chiellini's knee smacked full into his face as they slide for a loose ball. That looked pretty painful to me.

2017: Better from City. Adam Johnson hoists a couple of corners into the box and Alex Manninger is a very lucky man. He is struggling to collect the ball because of one of his own team-mates but the Spanish referee (who I've just seen has a very long name) rules that the home side committed a foul.

Juventus goal: They've started well, and now they have the lead, albeit fortuitously. Vincenzo Iaquinta lets fly from about 30 yards out on the left and, after taking a nick off Kolo Toure's head, it flies past Joe Hart and into the bottom corner. A wake-up call for Manchester City? It has to be.

2015: GOALFLASH Man City 0-1 Juventus (Iaquinta)

2012: Joe Hart is called into action again. A long-range Alessandro Del Piero free-kick zips off the Eastlands turf and the Manchester City keeper has to push it away.

2010: Juve's turn to knock it around, and they are enjoying a lot more possession at the moment. I forgot to mention before kick-off but, if you give this page a manual refresh and you are in the UK, you can listen to commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.

2009: A nice spell of keep-ball by Manchester City ends with a loose pass by Gareth Barry. Mohamed Sissoko breaks forward and feeds Vincenzo Iaquinta, who tests Joe Hart with a low shot at his near post.

2007: Jerome Boateng, making his first start for Manchester City tonight, has an early effort after cutting inside from the right. The less said about it the better, to be honest. It troubled the corner flag more than the goal.

2005: Right then. After a quick blast of 'Blue Moon', Manchester City get us going.

Europa League Macca: "For a minute there I thought there was going to be no late drama in the early kicks offs. But then Ante Vukusic popped up and popped in a 95th-minute winner for Hajduk Split at home to Anderlecht. That leaves the Belgians bottom of Group G with nil points. And then along came Edinson Cavani in the 98th minute to earn Napoli a 3-3 draw at Steaua, who led 3-0 early on remember? Decent news for Liverpool that, I reckon, who sit two points clear of Group K."

2004: The players are out on the pitch at Eastlands. Roberto Mancini has already admitted he tried to sign Juventus winger Milos Krasic twice - once while he was in charge at Inter Milan and again since taking over at Manchester City. I guess we will find out what he sees in him over the course of the next 90 minutes.

Manchester City's Italian boss Roberto Mancini on the visit of Juventus: "They are a strong team. This year they have a new manager and, like us, need time. But they're always Juventus. It's so strange for me to be managing an English team against an Italian side but we must get on with the match and try to win."

2000: I'm reliably informed by an Arsenal-supporting colleague that Alex Manninger (see 1953) would fit in nicely with the current crop of calamity keepers at the Emirates. Are his cheeks still as rosy as they used to be though? I hope so.

From BERNARD_BLACK on 606: "I think City will cruise this match. There's one thing Italian teams don't like and that is pace."

1956: I will be bringing you all the reaction from Utrecht-Liverpool too, of course. I think Roy Hodgson will be happy to come away from Stadion Galgenwaard with a draw, but I have a feeling Reds fans have higher expectations than their boss at the moment. We shall see...

1953: Right, time to switch our attention to Eastlands. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing Adam Johnson play but it will be nice to see Juventus keeper Alex Manninger, formerly of Arsenal, again too. I wonder if Manninger would get a game between the sticks at the Emirates these days?

From Adam H in Ireland, via text: "So frustrating watching Liverpool play. Always with their backs to goal and slow to go anywhere. Think it may be a clearance sale come January."

1950: OK, the good news for Liverpool? The point they picked up tonight has sent them top of Group K. On the face of it, not a terrible result for Roy's boys in the Netherland... but it was a pretty uninspiring performance by Fernando Torres and co.

1947: FULL-TIME FC Utrecht 0-0 Liverpool

Europa League Macca: "AEK Athens have pulled it back to 4-2 with a late penalty at Zenit but are running out of time to rescue something in St Petersburg. Just along the road, CSKA Moscow look good for the win as they now lead Sparta Prague 3-0. And Stuttgart could be going three points clear in Group H as they have taken a 2-1 lead at Odense."

1946: Make that two minutes. That's how much added time we will have at Stadion Galgenwaard.

1945: Oops. Martin Skrtel smacks an attempted through-ball straight out of play. If I'm being kind, I'd guess it took a bobble before he hit it. Anyway, less than a minute left (of normal time) for Liverpool to hold out here. It doesn't look like they are going to do anything at the other end.

Malchickles on Twitter: "The clean sheet is the most important thing for Liverpool tonight after recent defensive showings. All else is a bonus."

1942: Maxi Rodriguez has had a couple of goes at goal since coming on. The first was an optimistic overhead kick inside the box, and the second was a scuffed first-time shot from the edge of the area. Sorry Liverpool fans, I'm afraid it hasn't really got better than that for you in the last 20 minutes or so.

1940: Another close shave for Liverpool. The ball flicks off the head of Ricky van Wolfswinkel who feels he has been fouled. Nothing is given and it runs through to Jacob Mulenga, who is unlucky to see his poked effort roll just wide of the post.

Europa League Macca: "I wonder how you say squeaky bum time in Romanian. Anyway, it's looking like a tasty ending to the Steaua v Napoli game. The Italians were losing 3-0 after 17 minutes but Marek Hamsik has pulled it back to 3-2 with 17 minutes remaining. CSKA Moscow lead Sparta Prague 1-0, while Stuttgart and Odense have traded goals in a matter of six minutes and are tied at 1-1."

1937: Roy Hodgson makes his first change of the evening. Maxi Rodriguez is on for Joe Cole.

1936: Nervy times for Liverpool. Dries Mertens goes down in the box under challenge from Jamie Carragher as he tries to meet a corner. Penalty? Maybe yesterday, but not tonight. Anyway, play continues and Michael Silberbauer slams in a shot that is straight at Pepe Reina.

1935: A Jacob Mulenga cross bounces all the way through to Pepe Reina, who has to be alert to stop it sneaking in at the far post. The home side are still enjoying all the pressure.

1933: We've got about 15 minutes left at Stadion Galgenwaard, where Liverpool are being given a tough old work-out. Infostrada Sports tell me that Liverpool have won their last five straight European matches against Dutch clubs, outscoring them 12-2, but a sixth victory doesn't look that likely at the moment does it? In fact, a more relevant stat might be the fact that Liverpool have lost their last three away matches in the Europa League since winning 3-1 at Unirea Urziceni on 25 February this year.

Europa League Macca: "Young Boys, there's no need to feel down, I say Young Boys: your lads are 2-0 ahead now at home to Getafe through David Degen's second of the evening. Besitkas have turned things around at Rapid and lead 2-1 through Deivson Bobo. That would be a second defeat for Rapid in Group L."

1928: Jamie Carragher fails to deal with a ball into the Liverpool area and it comes out to Utrecht's captain Michael Silberbauer, who fires in a fizzing shot just over the bar. The Reds are still having to work hard defensively.

Man City v Juventus team news
David Ornstein reports: "Manchester City make four changes from Saturday's victory over Chelsea as Jerome Boateng gets his first start for the club in place of Dedryck Boyata, Patrick Vieira comes in for Nigel de Jong to face his former side, Adam Johnson replaces James Milner and Emmanuel Adebayor is preferred to David Silva. Juventus opt for five alterations following Sunday's win against Cagliari, with Alessandro del Piero returning to captain the side and former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger replacing Marco Storari between the sticks."

Man City v Juventus line-ups
Man City: Hart, Kompany, Zabaleta, Adebayor, Adam Johnson, Boateng, Barry, Vieira, Toure, Tevez, Toure Yaya. Subs: Given, Milner, Lescott, Silva, Jo, De Jong, Boyata.
Juventus: Manninger, Chiellini, Sissoko, Marchisio, Iaquinta, Del Piero, Bonucci, Grygera, Martinez, Krasic, De Ceglie. Subs: Storari, Motta, Felipe Melo, Lanzafame, Pepe, Legrottaglie, Giannetti.
Referee: Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez (Spain)

MarkBilly on Twitter: "Why are Liverpool 'fans' complaining about Torres. Maybe it's the whole team rather than Torres to blame!"

1925: A change for Utrecht. Barry Maguire, who is Dutch born but able to play for the Republic of Ireland because of his father, is on for the Dutch side, replacing Edouard Duplan.

1924: Here's the Manchester City line-up for tonight's game with Juventus (at 2005 BST): Hart; Boateng, K Toure, Kompany, Zabaleta; Y Toure, Vieira, Barry; Johnson, Adebayor, Tevez.

1923: Europa League Macca: "A couple of goals in quick succession involving Rapid Vienna. The Austrians poked their noses in front through Veli Kavlak but Besiktas's Filip Holosko has just levelled. AEK's hopes of a comeback are looking increasingly unlikely as Zenit have a fourth through Danko Lazovic's second of the evening - 4-1 now. Dortmund are finding themselves under Sevilla pressure as they trail 1-0 at home to the Spaniards and have just had Marcel Schmelzer dismissed for a second yellow."

1922: Another chance for Fernando Torres, who nips in to intercept a Mihai Nesu backpass. He gets there before Michel Vorm but his first touch on the edge of the area is far too heavy and the ball goes out for a goal-kick.

1918: Liverpool's turn to put a set-piece into the danger-zone, after Fernando Torres is fouled. Raul Meireles bends the ball in and Martin Skrtel powers a header against the bar. All good but, unfortunately for the Reds, referee Duarte Gomes has already blown his whistle (correctly) for offside.

MattSutton91 on Twitter: "What's going on with Torres? His first season was fantastic and he has just kept on going downhill."

1915: Liverpool defender Martin Kelly goes in the book for holding Jacob Mulenga out on the right wing. That means the visitors have to deal with another ball into the box. It reaches Alje Schut, but he cannot keep his first-time shot down.

1914: ...I haven't finished yet. Reina promptly misses another Utrecht cross but, when he does collect the ball, swifly releases Dirk Kuyt with a precise clearance. Kuyt crosses for Fernando Torres in front of goal and Liverpool would be a goal up if not for a brilliant stop by Michel Vorm, who I've been calling Michel Vom all night. This game has woken up!

1912: Pepe Reina goes from hero to zero, and almost hero again, in the space of about 60 seconds. He completely misses a corner from the right and Michael Silberbauer tries to bundle it home, only to be denied by Raul Meireles who heads clear from under his own cross-bar...

1911: It's Utrecht who are on top, though. Jacob Mulenga sends in a wicked cross from the right and Ricky van Wolfswinkel is in the right place to slot it home, but for the presence of Pepe Reina, who flies out of his goal to clear the danger.

1909: Better by Liverpool, much better... well until it reaches Fernando Torres anyway. Glen Johnson combines well with Dirk Kuyt down the right and gets in another excellent whipped cross. It comes out to Torres, who has time to take a touch inside the area but instead balloons his shot high over the bar. That sums up his night so far, I'm afraid.

1907: In fact, Liverpool haven't really got going since the interval. Christian Poulsen, who like Lucas gave the ball away an awful lot in the first half, has not kicked the habit yet.

1904: Utrecht are first to come forward after the break, with Ricky van Wolfswinkel chasing a ball over the top that has got a little bit too much pace on it. I'd love to be able to say that boy has had a howler, but in truth he has just been a bit quiet.

1901: Here we go again. Utrecht get the second half started... no changes from the home side or Liverpool so far.

1858: Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has got a few options in terms of freshening things up at the break, although he could start by telling Lucas to stop giving the ball away. The likes of Ryan Babel and David Ngog are on the bench for the Reds.

Europa League Macca: "A few goals popping in just before half-time, including an important one for Sevilla away to Dortmund. The Spanish side could do with a win after losing their opener in a tough looking Group J. Napoli pulled one back at Steaua, but still trail 3-1. AEK Athens lost Cristian Nasuti to a dismissal and went 3-1 down to Danko Lazovic's resulting penalty."

From Alex, via text: "Re 1849. Definitely as expected. Awful!"

Man City v Juventus (kick-off at 2005 BST)
David Ornstein reports: "With a whiff of optimism in the Eastlands air following Saturday's humbling of Chelsea, City approach their most high-profile European game for 31 years in high spirits. An opening-night victory over Salzburg saw them top Group A and they'll look to consolidate that position against two-time European champions Juventus. With just two wins from their last six games, the Old Lady are enduring a difficult start to life under new coach Luigi del Neri. But they returned to winning at the weekend and should not be underestimated."

From anon, via text: "I don't know what is wrong with Fernando Torres, I was at the Sunderland game on Saturday and he looks like he cant be bothered to play for Liverpool any more! Fitness doesn't do that to you."

1849: So, Liverpool fans, what do you make of that first 45 minutes? As expected, better - or worse? To put things into perspective a bit, here's a stat courtesy of Infostrada Sports. Dutch clubs have failed to beat English opposition in the Netherlands on their last seven attempts since AZ beat Newcastle United 2-0 in the UEFA Cup in March 2007.

HALF-TIME FC Utrecht 0-0 Liverpool
Mandeep Sanghera's half-time snap-shot: "There have been flashes of promise from Liverpool but chances are few and far between against a Utrecht side who have gone closer to scoring."

1844: Only a minute or two left until the break. Roy Hodgson might have a stern word to say to one or two of his players after the first 45 minutes.

From Roy will be Liverpool legend on 606: "Don't think there's been a game this year, West Brom included, where Liverpool have been the better side. It hurts."

1843: Hmmm. Dirk Kuyt has not made much of an impression yet on his return to Stadion Galgenwaard. He has just tried his luck from the left-hand edge of the area but, again, it hardly tests Michel Vorm... who stoops to make a comfortable low save.

Europa League Macca: "There's good and bad news for Steaua fans out there, and I know we've got a big following in Bucharest. The good news is your team is 3-0 up at home to Napoli, rather than the 1-0 that our scores are showing. It appears that a corrected scorer entry has caused some problems. Hopefully that will be rectified shortly. The bad news is you're down to 10 men after Pantelis Kapetanos was dismissed for violent conduct. It's all bad news for the FC Metalist Kharkiv followers out there - your boys have just conceded twice in two minutes at home to PSV. AEK Athens have pulled one back at Zenit."

1840: Another Utrecht chance, and a good one too. From the resulting corner, Tim Cornelisse is able to rise relatively unchallenged at the near post but cannot direct his header on target. He should have done an awful lot better there.

1837: Hmmm, since 1828 BST, when I said Liverpool have made an encouraging start, they have been largely awful. The Reds cannot keep hold of the ball at the moment and Pepe Reina has to save from Dries Mertens after Dirk Kuyt dithers over a clearance in his own area.

1837: The home side cannot do anything with it though. Joe Cole comes charging out of the wall to block Tim Cornelisse's shot, and almost reaches the ball before he strikes it. OK, I'm exaggerating, but that definitely wasn't 10 yards!

1834: Oh dear. Lucas gives the ball away, and then clumsily fouls Edouard Duplan as he tries to track back to retrieve it. That's a yellow card for the Brazilian and a free-kick about 25 yards out for Utrecht...

1833: Fernando Torres has had a quiet game so far for Liverpool, but he doesn't half look dangerous when he does get on the ball. This time he makes space then curls a shot a yard or two wide from the edge of the area, and I'm not sure that Michel Vorm would have reached it had it been on target.

1831: Ha! As soon, as I wrote that, Utrecht came steaming forward with real purpose. Sorry Reds fans. Still, the visitors survived - and Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina earned his corn for the first time tonight, diving to cut out a dangerous drilled cross from the right. Better from Utrecht.

1828: Liverpool are still knocking it around nicely, mind, and they break forward with a swift counter-attack. It fizzles out, and the resulting corner is easily cleared... but this has been an encouraging opening half-hour for Roy Hodgson's men.

1826: Well, Utrecht have the ball in the net from a corner but it won't count. The whistle had already gone for a push in the area before Jan Wuytens slammed his shot past Pepe Reina. Still, a bit of a warning for the visitors.

Europa League Macca: "The goal rush is on as Falcao - the Colombian forward not the Brazilian legend - has put Porto ahead away to CSKA Sofia, Portuguese star Bruno Alves has added a second for Zenit at Athens, PSG have a second against Ukraine outfit Karpaty Lviv. Meanwhile, Steaua have a third at home to Napoli and Sampdoria lead Debrecen through a Giampaolo Pazzini penalty."

1824: Despite what Exodude says below, Glen Johnson IS providing excellent width down the right for Liverpool. He's just whipped in a couple of decent crosses and Raul Meireles got on the end of the second one - but could only direct his header straight at Michel Vorm.

Exodude on Twitter: "Daniel Pacheco should be used more by Liverpool. Not enough natural width in the team. With Captain Fantastic missing, I'm nervous! 1-0 Utrecht."

1821: Here's Dries Mertens again, standing over a free-kick about 30 yards from goal. He chips it goalwards but Glen Johnson is able to head it away with ease. Utrecht need him to up his game a bit because Liverpool have got more ideas going forward at the moment.

1817: Utrecht's first effort on goal for a while, and it isn't a pretty one. Jacob Mulenga latches on to a ball over the top but, tracked by Martin Kelly, he rushes his shot and smacks it about a mile wide. I'm not exaggerating either.

1816: Joe Cole has a go himself this time, cutting in from the left before letting fly. Again, it's a bit of a daisy-cutter, and off-target too. But more purposeful play from the visitors.

Europa League Macca: "Some early goals going in around Europe and involving some of the competition's bigger names. Zenit St Petersburg are beating AEK Athens 1-0, while PSG, fresh from beating Sevilla in their opener, are leading Karpaty Lviv. In Liverpool's Group K, Steaua Bucharest, who were beaten by the Reds last time around, are already leading Napoli 2-0 courtesy of a second-minute own goal and a Cristian Tanase effort."

1813: Joe Cole and Lucas link up well in the Utrecht half and open up a shooting chance for the Brazilian. Again, he doesn't really get hold of it (it was scuffed and rolled wide) but this is still an encouraging spell for the Reds.

1810: A first shot on goal for Liverpool too. Raul Meireles has a pop, but his low effort is comfortably saved by Michel Vorm.

From Michael in London, via text: "Come on Dirk Kuyt, this is all set up for you to have an absolute cracking night. Good luck Liverpool, do us proud."

1807: The Dutch side come forward again, and get a shot away this time. Edouard Duplan tries his luck from the edge of the box but drags his low effort wide of the far post.

1805: Dries Mertens gets on the ball for the first time, and makes for the Liverpool box. His dinked ball finds Ricky van Wolfswinkel in the box, but the striker cannot control it, and commits a foul anyway. Chance gone.

1803: Utrecht are playing it around nicely, but only in their own half. Liverpool have hit a couple of balls into the home side's box but haven't had a sniff of goal yet.

1800: We are under way.

1759: The players are out on the pitch at Stadion Galgenwaard, where the home fans are demonstrating their ability to wave lots of flags of many different sizes. Looks like a cracking atmosphere there.

1758: By the way, Dirk Kuyt started his professional career with Utrecht back in 1998 and won his only senior trophy during his time at Stadion Galgenwaard - the Dutch Cup in 2003. Surely the law of 'returning to former clubs' means he's due a goal tonight then? If so, it would be the third straight game (for club and country) that he has found the net.

From Brett in Norwich, via text: "Re Damien, 1741. That's the spirit mate! We're playing Utrecht - even Dirk Kuyt used to bag 30 a season in their league... We'll make it six out of six, not sure about City for the seventh win though!"

1752: It's been raining all day in Utrecht... the same as it did before the Dutch side put Celtic to the sword in August. As well as Mr Van Wolfswinkel, I recommend you keep your eye on Utrecht's Belgian midfielder Dries Mertens who, despite his name, is their danger-man whatever the weather.

From SF Kopite on 606: "Desperate to see the Reds put together an authoritative performance! With Christian Poulsen and Lucas both in the line-up, I think we're going to need a big game from Joe Cole to spark the offense."

1746: Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson on his side's task tonight: "We know we have got a tough game. Utrecht are a good team and, in particular, strong at home. We are anxious to get a good result. The mood, spirit and desire amongst all the players is very good."

vishalLFC on Twitter: "Decent line up put out by Hodgson. would have liked to have seen Pacheco play tonight though. hope Jovanovic plays a part."

1741: One of my colleagues, Saj Chowdhury, spoke to Utrecht striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel this week. The young Dutch striker revealed that some of his team-mates make fun of his name. "They sometimes call me Van Wolfsshop because 'winkel' means 'shop' in English - it's funny eh?," said the 21-year-old. Hmmm, I can't help thinking he's gotten off lightly there.

From Damien Quigley in Kildare, via text: "Re 1719. Seven out of seven are you kidding? Have you been watching Liverpool this season? We have no chance."

1737: FC Utrecht might not be the biggest name in the Europa League this season but Liverpool should under-estimate the Dutch side at their peril, especially at Stadion Galgenwaard. Last season, Utrecht kept clean sheets at home against all of the top five clubs in the Eredivisie; FC Twente (0-0), Ajax (W2-0), PSV (0-0), Feyenoord (0-0) and AZ (W1-0).

FC Utrecht v Liverpool team news
Mandeep Sanghera reports: "Liverpool striker Fernando Torres starts as Reds boss Roy Hodgson selects a strong looking line-up with only two changes from the 2-2 draw with Sunderland. Lucas Leiva comes into central midfield for the absent Steven Gerrard, while Martin Kelly replaces injured left-back Paul Konchesky. FC Utrecht midfielder Nana Asare misses out but in-form striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel starts for the Dutch side."

1730: There are only two things I definitely can't live without tonight, and they are 1. Goals and 2. Chat from you lot. I know you won't let me down: Tweet me at chrisbevan_bbc on Twitter, join the regulars on 606 or text me via 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide).

FC Utrecht v Liverpool
FC Utrecht: Vorm, Cornelisse, Wuytens, Schut, Nesu, Lensky, Silberbauer, van Wolfswinkel, Mertens, Duplan, Mulenga. Subs: Sinouh, Demouge, Van Der Maarel, Maguire, Keller, Vorstermans, Nijholt.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Kelly, Poulsen, Kuyt, Lucas, Cole, Meireles, Torres. Subs: Jones, Jovanovic, Kyrgiakos, Maxi, Babel, Ngog, Spearing.
Referee: Duarte Gomes (Portugal)

FC Utrecht v Liverpool
Mandeep Sanghera reports: "Not only is it the first meeting between FC Utrecht and Liverpool, it's also the Dutch side's first game in Europe against an English side. But Utrecht did beat Scottish outfit Celtic 4-0 at home to qualify for the Europa League group stages and the Reds know they will have to be wary as they play their 300th Uefa club competition game. The Group K tie sees Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt return to the Stadion Galgenwaard club which proved the launchpad to his career and where he scored 51 league goals in 160 matches from 1998 to 2003."

1725: Let's kick off with some team news for Liverpool: Fernando Torres starts for the Reds. More info on their starting XI to follow.

1723: Myself and Europa League Macca will be doing our best to keep you across the other 22 Europa League games that are also happening this evening too... I'm expecting quite a few penalties after what happened on Tuesday and Wednesday but, whether this week's Euro spot-kick frenzy continues or not, the next few hours are unlikely to be dull. I hope not, anyway.

1719 BST: After five wins out of five for British teams in Europe this week, it's time to see if Liverpool and Manchester City can make that a magnificent seven out of seven. They are both in Europa League action tonight, with the Reds kicking us off in the Netherlands against Utrecht at 1800 BST, and City taking on Italian giants Juventus at Eastlands at 2005 BST.

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