Source: PA
Cole quick off the mark in win
Midfielder Joe Cole scored the quickest European goal in Liverpool's illustrious history to set his under-strength side up for a 4-1 victory over Steaua Bucharest at Anfield.
The England international took just 25 seconds of their opening Europa League Group K match to find the net for his first strike since joining on a free transfer from Chelsea in the summer.
Octavian Abduran, under pressure from Cole, left his back-pass woefully short and the midfielder nipped in to sidefoot a shot past goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu and in off the far post.
Cristian Tanase equalised for the Romanians in the 13th minute when Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Stephen Kelly allowed him to nip between them to collect Bogdan Stancu's through-ball and neatly chip over Pepe Reina.
Liverpool were gifted the chance to go ahead in the 55th minute when Pantelis Kapetanos pulled back Kyrgiakos as he challenged for Maxi Rodriguez's corner. David Ngog expertly dispatched the ball into the left-hand corner.
Substitute Lucas Leiva had an instant impact as he picked up a weak clearance 20 yards out to drive a shot past Tatarusanu with nine minutes to go, and Ngog fired home his second in injury time to give the scoreline a more convincing appearance.
