Liverpool beat Steaua at Anfield
Roy Hodgson's Liverpool overcame Romanian team Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League on Thursday, turning in a strong second-half performance to win 4–1.
After the sides scored one goal each in the first half, Liverpool changed gears after the break to complete a resounding victory in the first game of the group stage.
Joe Cole continued his strong European form for Liverpool straight from the kick-off, scoring his first goal for the club after only 27 seconds. The former Chelsea midfielder pounced after Ifeany Emeghara failed to hit a pass back to his keeper, racing past
the centre-back and slotting perfectly into Ciprian Tatarusanu's far corner.
Tasane inspires the Romanians
Steaua got back into the game in the 13th minute when Cristian Tanase's run caught the Liverpool defence off-guard. The striker latched on to a perfectly weighted through ball and calmly lifted the ball over Pepe Reina, who had come off his line in an attempt
to avert the danger.
The goal boosted the Romanian side's confidence, and only two minutes after his goal Tanase hit a volley straight at Reina, but the striker was narrowly offside.
Cole tried his luck from distance after finding himself in plenty of space outside Steaua's penalty box, but his low shot was calmly collected by Tatarusanu. After the break, the midfielder found Maxi Rodriguez on the right flank, but the Argentine's curled
finish failed to challenged the Steaua keeper.
Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Sotiris Kyrgiakos was fouled in the box in the 53rd minute. Striker David Ngog stepped up in Steven Gerrard's absence, cooly sending Tatarusanu the wrong way to put Liverpool in the lead with his fourth European goal
of the season.
Hodgson's team kept Steaua in their own half for long spells after Ngog's penalty, but on 76 minutes Tanase created another chance for himself, fooling Kyrgiakos only to send his shot wide of Reina's goal.
Lucas puts the game beyond doubt
With 79 minutes played, Ryan Babel was replaced by Lucas Leiva Pezzini, and the Brazilian needed only two minutes to prove his worth for Liverpool. Tatarusanu could only watch as the midfielder's belted shot flew straight into the top corner. It had taken
something spectacular to put the game beyond the Romanian team.
Ngog then polished the scoreline in injury time, finding enough space to hammer home a distinct finish for Liverpool's fourth goal.
Hodgson decided to rest Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard for the game, with his mind on Sunday's league fixture against Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson's side will certainly prove stronger opponents.
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