26.07.2005 - Carra scores as Reds earn first leg advantage

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Jamie Carragher was among the scorers as Liverpool survived a scare to eventually run out comfortable winners in Lithuania tonight and edge closer to the Champions League group stage.

The lively hosts took a shock lead on 21 minutes through Giedrius Barevicius, who bundled in a cross from the right to score the first competitive goal against Liverpool since Hernan Crespo's second strike at the end of first half of May's Champions League final.

Liverpool were soon on terms though, and new boy Peter Crouch was heavily involved, directing a header into the path of Cisse, who stretched to fire home the equalising goal.

Jamie Carragher added a second just a couple of minutes later, for his first goal in over six-and-a-half years, while Cisse might have made it 3-1 before half time but had a late effort cleared off the line.

The Reds were rarely troubled as the game wore on, while at the other end Cisse again came close to adding to the scoreline.

The match was wrapped up by a Steven Gerrard penalty, his sixth goal already in the competition, after he himself had won the spot kick.

By the time the second leg takes place next week, both sides will know who awaits them in the third qualifying round, with the draw being made this Friday, but Rafa Benitez will be confident that his men have done almost enough to ensure a safe passage through to the competition's next phase.