Liverpool eased to a 4-1 victory over Romanian side Steaua Bucharest last night to provide a positive start to our Europa League campaign. Goals from Joe Cole, David Ngog (2) and Lucas sealed the win and sent Liverpool to the top of Group K, two points ahead of Napoli and Utrecht, who played out a goalless draw in Italy.
Roy Hodgson used this Thursday night match to rest senior players such as Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Jamie Carragher whilst also allowing youngsters Jay Spearing, Martin Kelly, Daniel Pacheco and Nathan Eccleston some crucial game-time.
The game had barely begun when Joe Cole pounced onto a poorly attempted back pass before coolly striking into the far corner to score Liverpool's fastest ever European goal after only 27 seconds.
It was a fantastic opening goal, and one that set the tone for the first 10 minutes of the match, which were dominated by the buoyant home side. With five minutes played Kyrgiakos' header goalwards was blocked by a defender, before Spearing smashed a good shot just over the bar from 20 yards out only two minutes later.
However, Steaua sneaked an equaliser after 15 minutes as Jay Spearing was dispossessed in the middle of the park, and the away side flooded forward. Eventually captain Tanase outpaced Kyrgiakos to reach a through ball and delicately dink the ball over the out-rushing Pepe Reina.
It was a disappointing goal to concede, although to be fair to the visitors it was a well-taken effort. Also, it was the only mistake that Jay Spearing made throughout the 90 minutes, showing the talent that he displayed on the night.
Liverpool had been in complete control up to that point, but now Steaua were right back in it. They threatened once again shortly before the 20-minute mark, as Reina had to produce more heroics to expertly push away Kopetano's close range effort.
He had been flagged offside, however Reina wasn't to know. After that Agger had to be on his toes to cut out Nicolita's dangerous cross at the near post.
Then, as the game progressed towards the half time interval, Liverpool had three almost identical efforts on goal, revealing the "shoot-on-sight" policy that Hodgson had obviously implemented to test the keeper.
First, Spearing sent Cole scampering towards the edge of the Steaua box, however his driven strike from 25 yards out was comfortably dealt with by Tatarusanu in the Bucharest goal.
Shortly after Babel had a similar strike easily saved by the keeper after a neat move from the home side had opened up space for the Dutchman. Maxi tried the trick for a third time with five minutes left of the half, however the outcome was the same as the keeper wasn't troubled by the easy saves he was forced to make.
Meireles then pounced on the ball midway inside the Steaua half before threading a pass into the path of Ryan Babel. Unfortunately, his scuffed shot lacked power and was easy for the keeper.
Konchesky's poor free kick from the edge of the box on the stroke of half time sailed wide, meaning that the teams went in even-stevens at the break. It could be argued that the away side had had the better of the game so far, however Liverpool also applied pressure and fashioned far more opportunities than the visitors.
This pressure was multiplied many times over in the second half as the Reds controlled proceedings. Early on, Ngog's flick sent Cole towards goal. The Englishman then squared to Maxi, whose curled effort was stopped with ease by the keeper.
On 54 minutes Liverpool received a fortuitous spot-kick when Kyrgiakos collapsed in the box after a slight push from Geraldo Aves. It was a harsh decision to award a penalty, and I would have been furious if it had been given against us, however these things happen in football.
I'm sure we'll be on the receiving end of a terrible refereeing decision later in the season (most probably on Sunday when self confessed Manc Howard Webb takes charge at the theatre of screams.)
David Ngog stepped up to take the spot-kick and superbly slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner as the keeper dived in the opposite direction.
10 minutes later Raul Meireles, who was making his Anfield debut in front of a depleted crowd of just over 25,000, stung the palms of the keeper with a powerful, low strike which Tatarusanu did well to turn behind the post for a corner.
After that Steaua had their first chance of the second half on 70 minutes. Stancu's scuffed shot was weak and failed to stretch Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina, who made a simple stop.
Liverpool were now searching for a third goal to finally kill off the opposition, and it nearly arrived with 18 minutes left to play. Ryan Babel, who was employed in a free attacking role, slowed down whilst counter-attacking down the right wing, giving the impression that the move had broke down.
However, a neat piece of skill from the 23-year old gave him an extra yard of space before his deep and dangerous cross forced Bonfim to clear under pressure from Ngog at the back post.
Bucharest captain Tanase, who was the away side's main threat throughout the match, then nutmegged the lunging Kyrgiakos, allowing him a free shot at goal from a good position on the edge of the box. Thankfully, he struck the ball wide of the post when he should have at least forced the keeper to make a save.
When Lucas Leiva, who had been rested (or dropped?) after Sunday's performance, replaced Ryan Babel most supporters were confused. The situation surrounding who was leaving the action didn’t puzzle them.
No, they were confused as to why the under-performing Brazilian defensive midfielder was being brought on when Liverpool needed an extra goal to confirm the win. However, Lucas proved his critics wrong after 81 minutes when his wonderful, thumped strike from the edge of the area screamed past the helpless keeper.
It was a magnificent goal from Lucas, who could have been mistaken for Steven Gerrard; such was the quality with which he excellently took his goal.
The remaining minutes were used as an exhibition for the home side, as Hodgson gave youngsters Daniel Pacheco and Nathan Eccleston a run-out. The icing on the cake was provided in the first minute of injury time as Ngog grabbed his second and our fourth with a fine finish from 8 yards out.
It was another good night for the Frenchmen, who claimed another two goals to take his total to an impressive five goals in five Europa League matches.
Despite the satisfaction and enjoyment that will inevitably result after a convincing European victory, the mood was negated by the fact that this victory came in Europe's second tier competition, rather than in the more illustrious and lucrative Champions League.
After an hour of Europa League group stage action the Kop resurrected the long dormant chant, "We've won it five times." Although this is one of my favourite chants, last night it was certainly sung in an extremely sombre mood, in comparison to the joyful celebration that is normally associated with it.
It was a timely reminder of our failure to live up to our impressive European pedigree last season, and a call to prevent that same disappointment this time out.
YNWA
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