Liverpool 1-0 Steaua Bucharest
Harry Kewell's 7th goal of the season was enough to see off Steaua Bucharest at Anfield last night and book a place for Liverpool in round 3 of the UEFA Cup.
The visitors started the brighter of the sides and could have taken a shock early lead when dreadful defending allowed Raducanu space to run at goal and Chris Kirkland had to be quick off his line to make it difficult for the Steaua forward, who lifted his shot just over the bar under pressure from the big 'keeper.
Michael Owen failed to hit the target with a header at the other end shortly after, before Steven Gerrard had a similar chance after a skillful run down the left by Kewell, but the Liverpool captain saw his effort saved.
Kirkland was called into action again shortly before the midway point of the half, saving from a well struck 30 yard free kick taken by Dumitru, but the Romanian's rarely threatened again in the half with a header by Raducanu, which was sent well wide, their best opportunity.
Liverpool meanwhile saw a lot more of the ball in the Steaua half, but clear cut chances were few and far between. Florent Sinama-Pongolle had the best of those, though volleyed high into the Anfield Road stand from close range under pressure from the Steaua defence.
The second half started in a similar way as the first had done, with an early chance in front of the Kop end, though Hamutovski in the Steaua goal comfortably claimed Kewell's cross into the area denying Liverpool a first minute goal.
However, Hamutovski was able to keep out Liverpool only for another 3 minutes, as Harry Kewell headed home the opening goal after getting on the end of a well delivered cross from the right by Gerrard.
Pongolle could, and perhaps should, have doubled the lead minutes later when he was put clean through on goal but fired wide, and a similar chance fell Owen's way later in the half and he too failed to hit the target, finding only the side-netting as he chipped the ball over the keeper.
As the game wore on, Liverpool were almost made to pay for such missed chances, with Steaua finishing the stronger of the sides and coming close on a couple of occasions to taking the game into extra time.
The best opportunity came the way of Dinita, but despite looking certain to at least force Kirkland into making a save, he fired well wide.
It wasn't the most convincing Liverpool display, but for the fourth year in succession, there will be European football played at Anfield after the New Year, with Liverpool due to find out their opponents in two weeks time.
LFC-1 Star Man: Steven Gerrard.
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