Europa League: Steaua Bucuresti vs. Liverpool – Liverpool sneak through to next stages after tame draw
Liverpool travelled to Romania to take on Steaua Bucuresti in what was both the teams’ scheduled Europa League match. Both the teams were well aware of the fact that a win on the night would ensure their qualification into the
next round. However, even a draw for Liverpool would have been enough on the night to see them through.
Liverpool were fielding a rather depleted side, with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres being the most notable players missing from the squad. However, one player who finally made his comeback to the side was Joe Cole and the team
were looking towards the flamboyant midfielder to lead them from the front.
The match kicked off with the home side dictating play early on. However, it was Liverpool who managed to get the breakthrough against the run of play on the eighteenth minute. Milan Jovanovic was the player to score for the team
as a result of a sweeping counterattack. The ball ended up with Ryan Babel on the right flank and the winger showed great skill to cross the ball in for Jovanovic to thump into the back of the net with his head.
The header from Jovanovic was just about the most interesting play in what was an easily forgettable first half. However Liverpool still had a lot to do in the second half if they hoped to secure the win on the night.
As the second half kicked off, it was the home side once again who were dictating play on the night. However, despite all their efforts they just couldn't seem to find the breakthrough.
Nonetheless, on the sixtieth minute Eder Bonfim managed to score for the home side to draw the score level. The goal came courtesy of a Pepe Reina fumble, but Steaua weren't complaining. Bonfim managed to direct a rather tame header
towards the Liverpool goal, with everyone expecting Reina to grab hold of the ball; the keeper took his eyes off it for a second and the ball managed to roll into the back of the net after going through the keeper’s legs.
Liverpool came close to taking the lead on the sixty-sixth minute as Kyrgiakos thumped a header against the woodwork off of a corner.
However, it just wasn't meant to be on the night and the game eventually ended with the score line reading one all. As a result of the score, Liverpool were through to the next round, with Steaua having it all to play for in their
last game.
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