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By Sam Lyon

2220: And I call that wrap-up o'clock. For those of you that stuck with me - my eternal gratitude. The one consolation I can think of is that tomorrow's efforts can only - surely - get better. I'm back in the chair for a spot of Juventus v Man City and gawd knows I could do with your company. Before that, join Oliver Brett for day one of the third Ashes Test from around 0200 GMT tonight/early tomorrow. Bye.

2217: LIVERPOOL 0-0 FC UTRECHT
Mandeep Sanghera reports: "Instantly forgettable game which is best remembered for the lively presence of the FC Utrecht fans determined to enjoy their visit to Anfield."

2215: Anyone else hoping for a Liverpool-Rangers pairing then?

2214: And those that drop down from the Champions League... Spartak Moscow, Braga, Ajax, FC Twente, Rubin Kazan, Basel, Rangers and Benfica.

2212: As group qualifiers, we have... Man City, Lech Poznan, Bayer Leverkusen, Aris Salonika OR Atletico Madrid, Sporting, AA Gent OR Lille, Villarreal, PAOK Salonika, Dynamo Kiev, BATE Borisov, CSKA Moscow, Sparta Prague, Zenit St Petersburg, AEK Athens OR Anderlecht, Stuttgart, Young Boys, PSV Eindhoven, Metalist Kharkiv, Paris Saint-Germain, Sevilla, Liverpool, Napoli, FC Porto and Besiktas.

2210: Now then, let's have a look at who'll be in that Europa League last-32 draw on Friday, 17 December shall we? Here we go...

Warren, York, via text: "Goals may have been 'pun'itive but the word play was 'pun'derful."

Europa League Danny: "Huge drama in Group K. Clearly not at Anfield, but in Italy, where a last-minute goal by Edinson Cavani gave Napoli a 1-0 win over Steaua Bucharest. That put the home side through at the expense of the Romanians. In Group J, Borussia Dortmund drew 2-2 in Sevilla, a great effort from the Germans but they couldn't find the winning goal which would have put them through at the expense of their hosts. Just for the record - Group J winners were Paris Saint-Germain, and Porto and Besiktas both qualify from Group L after both won tonight."

Sam, Newcastle via text: "Well thank goodness that's over and pun with."

LFC fans Unite on 606: "Now the pre-match warm-up is over, when will the real match start?!"

Europa League Danny: "Fact fans, here are all your full-times. Context fans, fear not, Danny will be with you shortly...
Group J: Karpaty Lviv 1-1 Paris SG; Sevilla 2-2 Borussia Dortmund
Group K: Liverpool 0-0 Utrecht; Napoli 1-0 Steaua Bucharest
Group L: Besiktas 2-0 Rapid Vienna; FC Porto 2-1 CSKA Sofia"

2200: Quite honestly the poorest game of football I've had the misfortune to commentate on, that, I have to say. But Liverpool had already done enough to top the group and qualify for the knockout stages so they need not be that bothered at all. All eyes now turn to Friday's draw for the last 32...

2157: FULL-TIME Liverpool 0-0 FC Utrecht

2156: Almost late drama from the feet of Dries Mertens, but the Utrecht player runs out of room after working his way into the box and his cut-back is cleared with Leon de Kogel lurking.

2153: We'll have three (let's be honest, unnecessary) minutes of injury time.

Anon via text: "Met a guy in Liverpool today who had walked all the way from Holland for this evening's game. 'Utrecht all the way?' I asked him."

2152: No. No he can't. Jonjo Shelvey shifts it and Joe Cole's slapped effort is easily blocked. Ho hum.

2151: Hold on, maybe we will see some late drama... Joe Cole earns a free-kick 25 yards from the Utrecht goal... he couldn't could he...?

2150: You have to feel that will prove Liverpool's best chance of the night. We're into the last five minutes.

2146: Chance! And how Joe Cole would've loved to have seen that fly in. Fabio Aurelio's cross from the left is sensational and when the ball is spilled by Utrecht keeper Michel Vorm it falls to Cole eight yards out - only for the awfully out-of-form playmaker to see his goalbound snap-shot blocked brilliantly by a defender.

2144: The first few fans are starting to make their way out of Anfield and I dare say they may not consider tonight the best £20 they've ever spent in their life. If possible, this game has been even duller in the last five-10 minutes than in the hour that preceded it.

2140: We're well into the last 15 minutes of this game now. It might feel like longer than that, though.

Rupert P Matley on 606: "Looks like the Utrecht manager's sticking his Oar in."

Alex, Edgware, via text: "This game is certainly going to go down to Maguire..."

2136: And now here comes Dutch international and one-time Utrecht player (and still a Utrecht favourite) Dirk Kuyt for Liverpool. Lovely reception for the forward, too. Milan Jovanovic off.

2135: FC Utrecht's Australian winger Thomas Oar is on for Edouard Duplan.

2133: The match, at the moment, is most notable for the cracking support of the away fans. The Utrecht fans are bouncing. Literally. Well it is a bit chilly, bless 'em.

2130: Ooh - Barry Maguire creams a delicious corner in from the Utrecht left and Jan Wuytens looks like he is going to head home from close range, but Brad Jones is out well to punch clear bravely. Good keeping, that.

Dan, South Wales, via text: "I was expecting a much more Utrecht-ive brand of football from this Dutch side..."

2125: He's looked lively since coming on, Daniel Pacheco, and the young Spaniard has the confidence to go for goal from 22 yards - his low curler is well held by Michel Vorm in the Utrecht goal, though.

2124: Just starting to warm up a touch this match now, and Utrecht substitute Leon de Kogel crashes in a shot from the edge of the area that Brad Jones gets behind well to save.

2121: Best passage of play from the hosts all night. Milan Jovanovic plays a neat ball to the right where Martin Kelly whips a fine cross in - only for it to evade the onrushing Ryan Babel six yards out by a matter of inches.

Anon via text: "Liverpool matches used to be entertaining. Once a pun a time."

2119: Yes... yes... yes... no. Ryan Babel bursts at the Utrecht defence and for a moment it looks like he's going to work himself a good sight of goal, only to drift too far right and fire way past the far post with a low shot from just inside the area. Hhmm. Meanwhile, Daniel Pacheco comes on to replace the rather ineffective Nathan Eccleston.

2116: And now Leon de Kogel muscles his way past Danny Wilson and tries his luck with a chipped 25-yard effort - but the FC Utrecht substitute's effort drifts harmlessly over. The visitors on top at the moment.

Boikey on 606: "I recently entered a pun competition and submitted a total of 10 great puns, hoping that one would win. Sadly, no pun in ten did."

2113: It's actually FC Utrecht who have started this half the brighter so far, and Dries Mertens has the first meaningful effort on goal from range - his low effort kept out easily by Brad Jones in the end, though.

2109: *Deep breath*... here we go then...

2108: Right then, we're almost back under way - and home defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos will be coming on for Liverpool in place of Martin Skrtel.

2106: It's been confirmed, folks, that young Ricky van Wolfswinkel did break his collarbone in that fall at 2047, which will undoubtedly mean a lengthy spell on the sidelines for him. A few Premier League cheque-books might be being re-pocketed as a result, too, I'd wager.

Jonny in Thrapston via text: "We have to stop these puns, we are going round in Skrtels."

Mark Sinclair on 606: "Liverpool need Torres their game."

2102: If, by the way, all the excitement of these puns is all too much... why not take time out to read Paul Fletcher's cracking new blog on Countdown king and new PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle? Nice.

Matt, Nottingham via text: "This has 0-0 Wuytens all over it!"

Europa League Danny: "It's permutations o'clock in Group J. Pure drama in Spain, where Sevilla have come from behind to lead Borussia Dortmund 2-1. They qualify at the visitors' expense tonight - unless Dortmund win. And it's Karpaty Lviv 1-1 PSG - that'll be enough to see the French top the group. Dead rubbers all round in Group L, Porto and Besiktas both lead and they'll finish first and second whatever. And in Group K, it's literally non-start action. No goals, but still potential excitement - if Napoli win at Steaua Bucharest, they qualify with Liverpool."

forestfan1985 on 606: "All these puns should really be put on the Jon-Jo Shelvey for now."

Sinan via text: "Time to Reina those puns in, Sam."

Europa League Danny: "It's half-time o'clock...
Group J: Karpaty Lviv 1-1 Paris SG; Sevilla 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
Group K: Liverpool 0-0 Utrecht; Napoli 0-0 Steaua Bucharest
Group L: Besiktas 2-0 Rapid Vienna; FC Porto 1-0 CSKA Sofia"

2054: HALF-TIME Liverpool 0-0 FC Utrecht
Mandeep Sanghera's HT snap-shot: "The game has got a massive air of pre-season friendly about it with nothing riding on the result. I can count the number of chances on one finger."

2053: And there, thank the stars, goes the half-time whistle.

Gary, Market Harborough via text: "I seem to have Aurelio started something with these puns."

Anon via text: "You lot should quit Babel-ing on."

2050: Leon de Kogel is Ricky van Wolfswinkel's replacement. According to the Channel 5 voices on the magical telebox that sits on my desk, De Kogel translates as "The Bullet". I wonder if he'll fire for Utrecht tonight? Ahem.

2049: Yep, generous and sporting applause from the Anfield crowd as Ricky van Wolfswinkel is stretchered from the field clearly in a lot of pain. What a shame.

2047: As if this game wasn't slow enough already, we're going to have a delay here as Ricky van Wolfswinkel receives treatment after falling awkwardly on to his right shoulder. TV replays suggest that was quite a heavy fall, actually, and that might be that for the Dutch youngster's evening unfortunately...

Anon via text: "All these Dutch puns are... Kuyt good."

2044: Ryan Babel looks for a moment like he will break into a threatening run at the Utrecht back four, but that's cracking work from visiting midfielder Michael Silberbauer as he reaches his legs around the Liverpool forward's and scoops the ball back for the Dutch side.

2041: A rare FC Utrecht corner is only half-cleared and when Dries Mertens lifts the return ball in from the left Liverpool keeper Brad Jones gets in a bit of a muddle and is fortunate when his tame attempted punch falls safe.

Rob, Ellon via text: "Re 2030. And still no-one has delivered the Keller blow, though."

2038: Ryan Babel offers hope of breaking the deadlock there, though, as he skips into the box from the left - only to see his attempted cross-shot deflected away to safety off a Utrecht defender.

2036: Plenty of cheer and applause for Fernando Torres as he stretches his legs from the bench. The Spaniard jogging is about the most entertaining thing happening at the moment.

2034: Upon hearing the draw for the Europa League, FC Utrecht apparently described their two games against Liverpool as two of the biggest in their history. It would appear they would like to get away with a similar result in tonight's match as in the reverse fixture (0-0) so deep is their defensive line. It's not making for the best spectacle.

Chris, Herts, via text: "Hope Ricky van Wolfswinkel doesn't get caught napping tonight. Sorry."

bill40 on 606: "Re 20.20. The midfield is playing DuPlan too."

2030: Liverpool still dominating possession at Anfield, though I have to say the quality in the final third is a little lacking right now. Joe Cole has been almost completely anonymous so far.

2026: Jonjo Shelvey - who has looked in decent touch in the first 20 minutes - shows very good feet down the left to dance his way through a couple of tackles and even though is progress is eventually halted, Fabio Aurelio follows up to cross and Liverpool earn a corner. It comes to nothing, however.

2024: Nathan Eccleston does well to chase down what looks a lost cause down the left but Joe Cole's cross from the youngster's lay-off is poor and Ryan Babel is unable to control.

2022: Fabio Aurelio's left-foot curler fails to beat the wall and the chance is gone.

2021: That might change now, though, as Milan Jovanovic is felled 22 yards out centre of goal - great chance for a shot on goal this, surely...

2020: Liverpool just seem to have lost their way a bit in the past few minutes, mis-placing passes and struggling as a result to build momentum as a result.

Gary, Market Harborough via text: "The FC Utrecht goalie looks in good Vorm."

2017: Some neat possession play as FC Utrecht get their foot on the ball for a sustained period for the first time in the match, but still plenty of zip in these early stages. Which is nice.

DutchGeezer on 606: "Tip: Everybody's looking at Van Wolfswinkel, but the main talent of Utrecht is Mertens... who they picked up for less than 600k..."

2013: Boom! Milan Jovanovic cuts in from the right and spanks a fierce effort at goal from 25 yards - only a fingertip save on to the bar from Utrecht keeper Michel Vorm preventing Liverpool from securing a spectacular early lead.

2011: A rather over-exuberant - to say the least - challenge from a nervy-looking Nathan Eccleston on halfway earns the debutant the first booking of the night.

2010: Good defensive work from Jonjo Shelvey there, though, as he gets back to sweep up and clear as Dries Mertens dances his way past Martin Kelly by the byeline on the left.

2009: The Utrecht fans are out in force at Anfield and they're here to enjoy themselves for sure. Right now, though, it's Liverpool who are settling the quicker.

2007: Looks from these early stages like Ryan Babel and Nathan Eccleston will both be pushing forward in an attacking 4-4-2, with Joe Cole floating around the left-hand side and Milan Jovanovic the right.

2005: Right on time, we are up and running.

Clint on 606: "They knew what they were getting with Roy Hodgson did Liverpool: solid home form, poor away form and awesome Europa League form. They can't complain about it!"

2001: The players are in the tunnel and the atmosphere is building nicely at Anfield. As you'd expect, plenty of kids are in too - something like 18,500 apparently. Beautiful. A few of you asking why FC Utrecht can't qualify tonight, by the way - that's because their head-to-head records, the first basis upon which teams on equal points are split in the Europa League groups, against Napoli and Steaua are both losing ones. Make sense?

nickmbr on Twitter: "Silly season? It'll be a silly season if Roy gets the full one!"

Europa League Danny: "So tonight's early drama came in Group D, where PAOK Salonika's win at Dinamo Zagreb secured their place in the final 32 at the expense of the Croatians. But Villarreal's win at Club Brugge secured top spot in the group. In Group E, AZ Alkmaar, who were already out, restored pride with a 3-0 thumping of BATE Borisov, who take second spot behind Dynamo Kiev. Group F was a dead rubber, with CSKA Moscow first and Sparta Prague second whatever happened. A 1-1 draw was what happened by the way."

1958: Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson: "I had a change of heart (on starting Fernando Torres). I was seriously considering giving him a start but I had a talk with our fitness people and they convinced me it may not be the wisest move. As far as Nathan (Eccleston) is concerned, he's made two or three substitute appearances and if anyone deserves a chance it's him."

Europa League Danny: "Here are some full-times for you - don't fret, Danny will explain what it all means in a jiffy...
Group D: Club Brugge 1-2 Villarreal; D Zagreb 0-1 PAOK Salonika
Group E: AZ Alkmaar 3-0 BATE Borisov; D Kiev 0-0 FC Sheriff
Group F: Lausanne 0-1 Palermo; S Prague 1-1 CSKA Moscow

1955: LIVERPOOL v FC UTRECHT
Mandeep Sanghera reports: "Roy Hodgson says he would be happier if his Liverpool side's Europa League fortunes were being mirrored in the Premier League and it's easy to see why. While the Reds have struggled in the top-flight, they are unbeaten in nine Europa League matches so far this season and the second string they usually field in this comeptition have already qualified as Group K winners for the last 32 with tonight's game against FC Utrecht to spare. The Dutch side, however, are out and playing for pride."

nickmastrini on Twitter: "With pointless games come new opportunities for the up and coming players. Eccleston, Wilson and Shelvey to shine."

1951: And talking of silly season, Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has spoken publicly for the first time since Carlos Tevez demanded - and was refused - a move away from Eastlands. "I haven't spoken to him yet," said the Italian. "He is our player and I hope he continues to play for us and score for us. I will speak with him on Friday." That one will run and run if you ask me.

World Club Cup Danny: "Inter Milan are into the final of the competition after an easy 3-0 win over Seongnam Ilhwa of South Korea in Abu Dhabi. Dejan Stankovic, Javier Zanetti and Diego Milito with the goals. Elsewhere, Pachuca of Mexico have claimed fifth place in the World Club Cup after beating Al Wahda of the United Arab Emirates 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw."

1949: We'll hear from Roy Hodgson on that selection in a minute - but he's already had plenty to say this week on his position as Liverpool boss hasn't he? "I have great confidence in my ability," he said. "Whoever takes my place will be in a similar job with similar players... unless there is a major inflow of cash into the club and the team is going to be changed from one moment to the next." Still, he's can't be under as much pressure as West Ham boss Avram Grant who apparently has three matches to save his job, BBC Sport understands. Silly season is in full flow, folks...

From Andy in Exeter via text: "As a Liverpool fan I am very worried by this line-up. With no striker starting, I can't see us scoring."
You can't have written off Nathan Eccleston already?

Europa League Danny: "I love permutations, me, and happily there's a veritable pre-Yuletide bonanza of uncertainty in tonight's Europa League action. Here's the chat from the 2005 GMT games...
Group J: Paris Saint-Germain are through and need a draw to grab top spot. The winners of Sevilla v Borussia Dortmund will join them, with a draw favouring the Spanish side. If Sevilla win and PSG lose, the Spaniards top the group.
Group K: Liverpool are through, as we know. But the Napoli v Steaua Bucharest match should be a cracker - the Italians must win to qualify at the Romanians' expense.
Group L: Dead rubbers all round. FC Porto are group winners, Besiktas are runners-up, regardless of tonight's scores.

1944: LIVERPOOL v FC UTRECHT
Mandeep Sanghera reports: "So... the strong line-up Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson hinted at hasn't materialised, and instead he gives 19-year-old striker Nathan Eccleston his first start for the club as FC Utrecht come to town. Centre-back Martin Skrtel is the only survivor from the defeat by Newcastle and captain's a side also including playmaker Joe Cole. Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Glen Johnson and Raul Meireles are on the bench."

VuckicNUFC on Twitter: "Liverpool 4-0 Utrecht will be good come back from Saturdays mauling at NUFC! Napoli 2-0 Steaua too."

Moobabe on 606: "I'M EXCITED!"

1941: LIVERPOOL v FC UTRECHT
Liverpool: Jones, Kelly, Skrtel, Wilson, Aurelio, Jovanovic, Poulsen, Shelvey, Cole, Eccleston, Babel. Subs: Hansen, Johnson, Meireles, Torres, Pacheco, Kyrgiakos, Kuyt.
FC Utrecht: Vorm, Cornelisse, Keller, Wuytens, Nesu, Duplan, Silberbauer, Nijholt, Mertens, Maguire, van Wolfswinkel. Subs: Cummings, Oar, Van der Maarel, Vorstermans, Sarota, de Kogel.
Referee: Kristinn Jakobsson (Iceland)

Amir Mir on 606: "It would be good if someone could bag a hat-trick or Liverpool can thump Utrecht. It'll be good momentum for Hodgson, who will not be taking this game lightly."

1937: So, as always, this is your time to shine good people of the BBC text commentary readership. Tweet me @sampatricklyon, get chatting over on 606, or text me via 81111. Let's be having you.

1935: Ahem. Forgive me. I shall remove my tongue from my cheek and give this match the build-up it deserves now. For a start, with nothing in particular riding on it for either side, there's a good chance we'll see a top game of football isn't there? Add to that the fact that exciting Liverpool youngster Nathan Eccleston gets a first start for the hosts (more on that in a bit), we'll have the opportunity to check out one of Holland's hot prospects in Ricky van Wolfswinkel and there's also the prospect of a packed Anfield crowd courtesy of the new owners' generous offer of child tickets ...thinking about it, this match might just surprise us all. Come on people... get excited.

1933: TEAM NEWS SNAP
Nathan Eccleston and Joe Cole start for Liverpool, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Raul Meireles and Glen Johnson are all on the bench.

1932: But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves, right? Yes, Liverpool will definitely top Group K having secured their progression to the knockout stages last time out in Europe against Steaua Bucharest, and no FC Utrecht have zero chance of making the last 32 and are therefore playing for nothing but pride this evening... but, hey, we've got our health haven't we? And it is Christmas after all.

1930: Right, let's be honest up front, there is not a single thing riding on Liverpool-FC Utrecht tonight. Rien. Nichts. Niente. Nada. OK? Cool.

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