Fernando Torres's goals will come but he is 'human', says Dirk Kuyt.

Dirk Kuyt is confident he can forge a partnership with Fernando Torres despite the Liverpool pair drawing a blank in the goalless Europa League draw in Utrecht.

And he has backed the Spaniard to return to his usual goalscoring form in the immediate future. "It's just a matter of time for Fernando," he said. "I said that after the Sunderland game when people were talking about him not scoring, but he still provided two assists. Last night he missed a chance but he is human and can miss chances like everyone else. I'm sure his goals will come."

Torres had one genuine chance midway through the second half when Kuyt crossed to the near post but the Spaniard's first-time shot was well saved by Michel Form – although the referee, Duarte Gomes, did not spot the touch and awarded a goal-kick.

Torres has spent most of his Liverpool career playing up front on his own with Steven Gerrard in the attacking role behind him but in the last two matches he has had Kuyt as a partner.

The two combined for Kuyt's controversial opening goal against Sunderland at the weekend but the Dutchman is yet to return the favour: "We created a good chance together and against Sunderland and West Brom it worked well so I think we can play well together, but last night wasn't the best game for us or the team."

Kuyt's return to his first professional club was not the spectacular homecoming he was hoping for as Liverpool were on the back foot for long periods. However, the Holland international believes a draw at the Stadion Galgenwaard, where the hosts had won their previous six matches, was a worthy one.

"It was a really tough game. It was difficult from the start. We didn't play our best game but we will keep fighting," said Kuyt. "We created some good chances but so did they, so I think we have to be happy with a 0-0. We can take confidence from this and we will keep fighting.

"I think the good thing is that we got a clean sheet. An away draw in Europe isn't too bad and we have four points from two games, so we just have to keep going and win on Sunday [against Blackpool]."