Dirk Kuyt guided home an 86th minute header to secure a 1-0 aggregate victory over Sparta Prague and safe passage through to the last 16 of the Europa League, where the Reds will face Portugese side SC Braga after they overturned a first leg deficit to claim a 2-1 aggregate win over Polish outfit Lech Poznan.
An enthralling and entertaining end-to-end encounter had somehow remained goalless, leaving the daunting and exhausting prospect of extra time still a very real possibility. However, the determined Merseysiders eventually claimed the one-goal win their expansive performance deserved when Dutchman Dirk Kuyt reached Raul Meireles' corner to head home from close range in front of a delighted Kop.
With Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard and Andy Carroll all out injured and Luis Suarez ineligible due to his European appearances for Ajax, the return of Daniel Agger and Joe Cole to the starting line-up was a welcome sight. Meanwhile, Daglish displayed his faith in our young players once again as Kelly, Wilson and Ngog were all given starting berths in the legendary Scot's first European match in charge of Liverpool at Anfield.
The match began excitingly, with both sides creating chances on a regular basis throughout the first period, in refreshingly stark contrast to the dull bore draw served up a week previously. Only two minutes in strong penalty appeals were ignored after Pamic appeared to handle Meireles' free kick in the area. Although the ball clearly struck his hand it appeared to be unintentional and the referee rightly waved played on.
A great tackle from Martin Kelly was then required to thwart the visitors just as the Liverpool half opened up for two Sparta players, before the hesitant Christian Poulsen wasted a good chance to create a goalscoring opportunity when the defensive minded Dane was unsurprisingly caught in two minds when well placed on the edge of the box.
Prior to kick off many expected Sparta to sit back and look to keep it tight, however the Czech side displayed a willingness to get forward as they realised the effect a crucial away goal would have on the tie. This was reflected in their early attacking play, as Kadlec scooped a volley just over Reina's bar on 12 minutes and, only a minute later the Spaniard was called into action again as the 18-year old Sparta striker headed Sionko's right wing cross goalwards.
The hosts responded with a period of sustained pressure themselves, with Kyrgiakos' bullet header forcing Blazek to claw the ball around the base of the post, before Kelly cut onto his left foot and sent an inviting cross into the area for Joe Cole, who had done well to get in front of his marker. Unfortunately the diminutive Londoner misjudged his header and it went disappointingly wide, betraying his rustiness following a long spell on the sidelines.
After that Reina dangerously flapped at a corner kick, however apart from that Liverpool remained in the ascendancy, creating numerous chances yet failing to convert any. Mid-way through the half Meireles was inches away from continuing his remarkable goal-scoring streak when he surged onto Kelly's incisive cross and guided a first time strike inches over the bar on the stretch.
On 25 minutes Cole collected Poulsen's pass and forced Blazek into a good stop after he'd shifted the ball superbly onto his right foot, however the shaky Poulsen, who had lost possession unnecessarily previously, lost the ball yet again 10 minutes before the interval, allowing Kweuke to steam forward menacingly.
Thankfully Kweuke rushed his effort and Agger was able to block, before moments later setting up our best opportunity of the match as his raking ball evaded the unaware Repka and ran through for Kuyt, who promptly squared for Ngog. Blazek palmed his effort into the air when the young French striker should have scored and, although the ball nearly ran for Cole, the keeper eventually recovered and the chance was squandered.
On the stroke of half time Lucas was inches away from breaking the deadlock with a dipping effort from 20 yards, but it flew agonisingly off target and the teams went in level at the break. Following an eventful first half Liverpool were disappointed not to have claimed the lead but patience was needed from an expectant Anfield. Veteran vice captain Jamie Carragher replaced the injured Martin Kelly at half time, subtracting slightly from our attacking threat down the right hand side but also adding significant stability at the back, which proved crucial in restricting the away side in the second half.
The off form Ngog, who wasted several clear-cut chances, embarrassingly and infuriatingly miskicked from Kuyt's cutback, displaying a worryingly bad technique and squandering a good opportunity in the process. On the hour mark Kusnir forced Reina into a good save before Cole danced away from two Prague players but unfortunately couldn't trouble Blazek with his effort from range.
After 67 minutes Kuyt's effort was blocked after Meireles' cross had been headed away. Fortunately the ball fell to Agger, who swung the ball back into the danger area only for Cole to head wide of goal. Cole was involved again moments later when Kuyt excitingly skipped past Repka's tackle and centred the ball dangerously, however it flew agonisingly past Cole as he was slightly too short to reach Kuyt's inviting cross. Then, the influential Meireles intelligently slipped the ball behind the Sparta defence and into space for Ngog but the 21-year old was thwarted at close range by Blazek.
By this stage centre halves Kyrgiakos and Agger were struggling with injury and the Reds were frequently down to ten men as the fearless Greek received treatment whilst Agger hobbled on bravely. With Carra settling in at centre back seamlessly and Lucas Leiva filling in adequately at right back Reina remained relatively untested and the hosts persistently attacked, eventually claiming the crucial opening goal with time running out.
Following 174 minutes of goalless football Raul Meireles curled a corner delightfully into the danger area, where Kuyt directed a header into the net from close range. It was a simple yet crucial finish as it gave the home side a vital lead and ruled out the possibility of a further 30 minutes of exhausting extra time, which would have left Liverpool drained ahead of Sunday's visit to Upton Park.
There was still time for Cole to go close on two occasions though, as clever play from the Reds' number 10 carved out an opening in the box, however the over-zealous Ngog stole the ball from Cole and struck goalwards, forcing Blazek into a fine stop, although Cole was better placed to find the back of the net.
With the tension tangible inside Anfield Lucas 'took one for the team' as he sliced down an advancing Spartan from behind, as he looked set to run threateningly at our defence. To the Reds' relief Reina punched away Vacek's delivery to set up one final chance as Cole went through on goal but could only stab wide of the post when one-on-one with the keeper.
It was a typically dramatic end to a game that epitomised Liverpool since the return of Kenny Dalglish. Defensively solid this was our sixth clean sheet in the last seven games, whilst the creation of many clear-cut chances entertained the sell out Anfield crowd. Although Daglish may have thanked Hodgson for helping us to get this far in the competition, it is only the inspiration gleaned from the 'Dalglish effect' that has revived our fortunes over recent weeks, and helped to secure our place in the last 16 of the Europa League last night.
With SC Braga next up Liverpool will be favourites to progress to the quarterfinals and should have their eyes fixed on a Dublin date on 18th May to possibly contest the final of UEFA's secondary competition.
YNWA
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