THERE have been pretty slim pickings for autograph hunters greeting Liverpool on their Europa League travels this season.

Small wonder, then, the wave of excitement that rippled through the pen-wielding throng at Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport yesterday when Fernando Torres came trundling through the arrivals lounge.

Roy Hodgson and Steven Gerrard may have been absent but it was the presence of Torres on the flight to Holland for tonight’s Europa League Group K clash against FC Utrecht that has caused the greater surprise.

Gerrard has once again been left on Merseyside to rest while Hodgson joined up with the squad at their hotel yesterday having taken in the Champions League clash between Ajax and AC Milan the previous night as he continues his quest to ease the striking burden on Torres.

However, it is the form of the Spaniard that will be of more immediate concern for Hodgson.

Having toiled with injury for much of the year, Torres has yet to rediscover his lethal best and has netted just once – the winner against West Bromwich Albion – in seven appearances this season.

But the striker provided the assist for Liverpool’s last four Premier League strikes, and Hodgson believes Torres is on the cusp of a devastating return.

“Fernando is getting better and better, he has done well in the last two games and was behind four goals,” says the Liverpool manager.

“He won the free-kick and penalty against United and he was behind two goals both goals against Sunderland.