The Europa League: Liverpool 4-1 Steaua Bucharest
The last time these two sides met was in the 2003-2004 UEFA Cup where Liverpool won 2-1 on aggregate. Gerard Houllier was the Reds manager then and legend Harry Kewell scored the winning goal in the second leg to award Liverpool the victory. The current
squad is very different from the team that beat Steaua Bucharest almost six years ago but they did well, getting off to a good start in the early stages of the Europa League.
In the absence of Captain Steven Gerrard, Spanish goal keeper Pepe Reina assumed the captain’s duties. The game started off with Steaua on the attack but just after 27 seconds Liverpool were leading by a goal. Joe Cole, who did not impress in his earlier
games, latched on to a back pass from Latovlevici and clipped the ball past Tatarusanu only to end it up into the bottom corner of the net. The visitors were thrown off by the unexpected early goal and tried their best to respond.
Both sides shared equal possession and chances at goal and Reina continued with his good form and made some impressive saves. Meireles, Hodgson’s new signing was impressive at the heart of midfield and attempted to make chances of Ryan Babel. However, it
was Steaua that scored next. Stancu delivered a straight, fairly simple pass, which Kyrgiakos missed and Tanase used that opportunity to enter the penalty box though Reina came forward for the save teh mistake had been made and the ball was shot into the right
side of the empty net.
Despite a confident start, Liverpool were now on the back foot and both sides were equal at this point. The possession was shared equally and the threat to each goal was the same, the hosts were not expecting such a performance from the Romanian side. The
Steaua attack, led by Nicolita was persistent and Agger had to clear the ball to concede a corner. It was after the half hour mark that Liverpool regained some confidence and dominated the match. Babel and Cole partnered up for the attack, which in the end
didn’t add up to anything.
The second half started off with Liverpool attacking, but it was not until the 55th minute that they were rewarded with a goal. The goal was a converted penalty by Ngog, which was given when Kapentanos brought down Kyrgiakos in the penalty area.
2-1 up Liverpool were back in the driving seat and were playing more confidently. Babel and Ngog made several attempts at the visitors’ goal, but their defence was solid and gave no sign of breaking down.
It was after Lucas was brought on for Babel that Liverpool scored their third goal. It was the Brazilian who scored the goal that ensured a Liverpool win. Cole set up the ball for Lucas, who shot a thunderbolt into the net which left the Steaua goal keeper
helpless. Even though they knew they had won the match, Liverpool were not taking any chances and continued with the attack. Pacheco was brought on for Maxi and Cole was brought off to give Nathan Eccleston a start.
Into extra time and Liverpool scored another goal to make it 4-1, confirming their win. It was Ngog who capitalized on the tired, out of form Steaua defence. He was challenged by two defenders, both of whom he passed effortlessly and from about 10 yards
out made a run forward and shot the ball into the net. This was a good effort by Liverpool and it was rightly rewarded, they will now be confident when they take on Manchester United over the weekend in the English Premier League.
Starting Line Up
Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Konchesky, Spearing, Meireles, Maxi, Cole, Babel, Ngog.
Subs: Jones, Johnson, Pacheco, Lucas, Carragher, Shelvey, Eccleston.
Steaua Bucharest: Tatarusanu, Emeghara, Abrudan, Geraldo, Latovlevici, Radut, Angelov, Bicfalvi, Tanase, Stancu, Kapetanos.
Subs: Lungu, Gardos, Nicolita, Gomes, Surdu, Eder, Apostol.
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