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 deliver 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 treat 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.”

There is another reason why he is so eager to get back to winning ways, of course. Liverpool owner John W Henry’s admission on Monday that results this season have been “unacceptable” is one that the manager shares, but Hodgson is confident his employers share his vision for the long-term future of the club – a future which involves silverware, Champions League qualification and title challenges.

“The owners are very good, they’ve talked common sense ever since they arrived,” he said, “Their visions for the club are spot on, and though people have got mileage out of the ‘unacceptable’ comment, it is something I agree with.

“I didn’t join Liverpool to secure a mid-table league position, I came to compete in the top four, to be in the Champions League and to possibly win things. That is my ambition, and it is also the owners’ and hopefully they will help me, and together we can get there.”

Henry’s stock on Merseyside is already high, having rescued the club from the misery of Tom Hicks and George Gillett’s ownership, and Hodgson admits he has been impressed by the American’s attitude to building for the long-term.

“The owners are sensible, and they are realistic,” said Hodgson. “Maybe Manchester City will show that it is possible for an owner to come in and throw money about but I think for a really healthy club it needs to be done on a more long-term basis.

“The players we bring in must be well-researched, they must be right for the club and ideally you would see the club do things with the academy too. The club needs to be producing the new Gerrards, Carraghers, Fowlers and McManamans to have a healthy future in the long term.”

In the more immediate future, Liverpool can prepare for a tilt at the Europa League crown in the New Year. The Reds were eliminated by eventual winners Atletico at the semi-final stage of last season’s competition, but Hodgson is confident his side – seeded for Friday’s last 32 draw – can eclipse that achievement, and that of his Fulham side, by going on to lift the crown in Dublin come May.

“Being seeded is good for us,” he said. “There are some tough sides in there but at Fulham we had tough games and we came through them. I’m sure we can do the same at Liverpool.”