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Liverpool ease past Rabotnicki in Europa League

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Liverpool ease past Rabotnicki in Europa League
A dominant display by English Premier League outfit Liverpool saw them ease past Macedonian league runners-up Rabotnicki in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round as they won 2-0 at Anfield (4-0) today.
David N’Gog opened the scoring with a headed goal before captain Steven Gerrard sealed up the victory with a penalty five minutes before half-time to send Rabotnicki out of the competition.
Reds manager Roy Hodgson had fielded a strong starting line-up with Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson returning to the side after being allowed an extended post-2010 FIFA World Cup holiday. New boy Joe Cole also made his first competitive start for the club as he lined up alongside Gerrard and fellow summer arrival Milan Jovanovic behind N’Gog.
Liverpool started as they meant to go on as they raced out of the traps despite already having a two-goal lead from the first leg. After seven minutes of action, right-back Johnson evaded a couple of tackles as he cantered up to the touchline. However, as he cut infield and threaded a pass to N’Gog, the striker was ruled to be offside – but only just.
N’Gog, who scored twice in the first leg, had a much better chance after 13 minutes, when Cole and Gerrard teamed up to work the ball around Rabotnicki defenders. The Reds skipper then put the French forward clear on goal, but N’Gog took too long to try and round Martin Bogatinov, allowing the Rabotnicki goalkeeper to clear the ball.
Just three minutes later, there was another good chance for Liverpool. The England international delivered a good cross over the Rabotnicki defence, but Dani Pacheco failed to react quickly enough and Bogatinov was again able to snuff out the threat. It wasn’t long, however, before the home side found themselves in front. Gerrard had been unlucky with a low shot from a distance that Bogatinov managed to force wide. Gerrard played the resulting corner short to Cole, whose cross found N’Gog. The striker made the most of the opportunity and headed home off the underside of the bar.
Cole and Gerrard continued to torment the Rabotnicki defence, and after 29 minutes, Cole curled an effort high and wide of the target. Rabotnicki struggled to get any momentum going at all, and when the team finally managed to hang on the ball for more than a few passes the Liverpool back line quickly stamped out any flow the Macedonian side may have had.
After 40 minutes came the goal which extended Liverpool’s advantage. N’Gog was hauled down in the box by opposition defender Fernando Lopes. Gerrard then stepped up to slot home his 35th goal for Liverpool in European competition.
The second half began where the first left off, with Cole’s cross shot veered towards the goal and found the woodwork. From then on, it was mostly about possession play as the Reds knocked the ball around before Gerrard made way for Alberto Aquilani. Liverpool pushed forward on occasion, but having had their ticket stamped to the next phase of the competition, felt no need to push for another goal.
Rabotnicki almost found themselves a consolation in injury time, with left-back Martin Kelly being forced into a last ditch clearance after Marcio was inches away from the goal with a header. From the resulting corner, Filip Petkovski smacked the ball against the post from 10 yards.
Former Chelsea man Cole impressed throughout the match as he pulled the strings for most of Liverpool’s attacks. After the game, he told reporters that: "I would have loved to have got a goal tonight, but I'm just pleased to get 90 minutes under my belt and for us to have got the win. I enjoyed it out there and it made a change not to get stick from the Anfield crowd! I really want to push on now, get fitter, and show these great fans what I can do.”
Liverpool will now progress into the play-off stage of the competition.

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