Source: Daily_Mail
LIVE Europa League - Salzburg v Manchester City, Liverpool v Steaua Bucharest
Following the start of the Champions League group stages, the Europa League follows suit tonight with two English clubs in action. First up at 6pm Manchester City visit Salzburg, while immediately after at 8.05pm Liverpool play host to Steaua Bucharest. You can follow all the action from both games here with Sportsmail. Email me any thoughts on tonight's games at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk [LNB] Liverpool 1-1 Steaua Bucharest (8.05pm)Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Konchesky, Spearing, Meireles, Maxi, Cole, Babel, Ngog. Subs: Jones, Johnson, Pacheco, Lucas, Carragher, Shelvey, Eccleston.[LNB]Goals: Cole (1).[LNB]Steaua Bucharest: Tatarusanu, Emeghara, Abrudan, Geraldo, Latovlevici, Radut, Angelov, Bicfalvi, Tanase, Stancu, Kapetanos. Subs: Lungu, Gardos, Nicolita, Gomes, Surdu, Eder, Apostol.[LNB]Goals: Tanase (13)[LNB]Referee: Cesar Muniz Fernandez (Spain)[LNB]13min: GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Steaua Bucharest[LNB]That came from nowhere! A fantastic low through ball from Bogdan Stancu, is latched on to by Cristian Tanase who delivers a majestic finish past Pepe Reina inside the box to give the Romanians an unexpected equaliser.[LNB]11min: Good to see Liverpool trying to play with a quick tempo, if they keep this up they get a few goals tonight.[LNB]9min: On the subject of the ball moving mid-flight, 2010 World Cup fans will be pleased to know it is a Jabulani we are using in this year's Europa League, albeit in a UEFA makeover.[LNB]8min: Jay Spearing tries his luck from 30 yards out, his powerful shot moving in the air as it just creeps over the bar.[LNB]6min: Corner from Liverpool finds Sotiris Kyrgiakos who's goalbound header is blocked before being cleared to safety.[LNB]5min: I admire Steaua for their attack minded team, but they are in for a long night, Liverpool bossing these early stages.[LNB]1min: GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Steaua Bucharest[LNB]A dreadful pass back (there was barely any contact) from a Steaua defender lets in Joe Cole who simply clips it past the onrushing keeper in the box to put Liverpool a goal up inside half a minute![LNB]20.05: An attack minded Bucharest (at least in their starting lineup) in a less than packed Anfield, kick things off.[LNB]20.02: Players walking out of the tunnel to 'You Never Walk Alone', fairly young team this evening from Liverpool but Raul Meireles does make his debut.[LNB]Hope this inexperienced squad does not implode in front of Roy Hodgson.[LNB]19.55: On to Liverpool v Steaua Bucharest, as the English teams look to remain unbeaten in Europe this week.[LNB] Remember him? Former Spurs and West Ham player Ilie Dumitrescu leads Steaua Bucharest tonight[LNB]19.53: So as we get ready to move our concentration to Liverpool, just time to tell you that Manchester City top the group. Two points ahead of Juventus and Lech Poznan with of course Salzburg propping up the table.[LNB]19.50: Job done for City, who were a far Superior side to Salzburg.[LNB]Juventus failed to hold on to their 3-2 lead against Lech Poznan, with Artjoms Rudnevs grabbing an injury time equaliser and his hat-trick with it.[LNB]I doubt not even he could have dreamed that last night.[LNB]Salzburg 0-2 Manchester City [LNB]Salzburg: Tremmel,Schwegler, Afolabi, Sekagya, Svento, Schiemer, Mendes Da Silva(Augustinussen, 74), Zarate, Leitgeb, Pokrivac (Jantscher, 55),Boghossian (Wallner, 54). Subs: Walke, Dudic, Hierlander, Alan.[LNB]Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kolo Toure,Kompany, Bridge (Boyata, 68), de Jong, Yaya Toure, Barry, Silva(Wright-Phillips, 84), Tevez (Vieira, 79), Jo. Subs: Given, Richards,Milner, Johnson.[LNB]Goals: Silva (8), Jo (63).[LNB]Referee: Georgios Daloukas (Greece) [LNB]Full-time: Salzburg 0-2 Manchester City[LNB]90+2min: Joe Hart gives away a needless corner and, Salzburg again waste a good chance as Sekagya's free header goes just past the post. We are past the point of worrying though.[LNB]90+1min: The Blues win a free-kick inside the Salzburg half, after Wallner is booked for a pretty careless tackle on Vieira.[LNB]Greek referee Georgios Dalouklas has had a fine game.[LNB]90min: In to the final minute in Salzburg. Three words; motions, going and through.[LNB]88min: Despite those earlier scares, City have been in total control of this. If they showed a more ruthless streak they could have scored four or five tonight.[LNB]85min: That's another fine ball in from Yaya Toure whose low trajectory cross is just cut out before Barry could apply a finishing touch with his right foot.[LNB]84min: Hard days work done for Silva as well, as Shaun Wright-Phillips comes on for a cameo appearance.[LNB]81min: Don't forget Liverpool follow straight after this game, and here is the team news from Anfield:[LNB]Liverpool v Steaua BucurestiLiverpool: Reina, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Konchesky, Spearing, Meireles, Maxi, Cole, Babel, Ngog. Subs: Jones, Johnson, Pacheco, Lucas, Carragher, Shelvey, Eccleston.Steaua Bucuresti: Tatarusanu, Emeghara, Abrudan, Geraldo, Latovlevici, Radut, Angelov, Bicfalvi, Tanase, Stancu, Kapetanos. Subs: Lungu, Gardos, Nicolita, Gomes, Surdu, Eder, Apostol.Referee: Cesar Muniz Fernandez (Spain)[LNB]79min: Tevez's day is done as Patrick Vieira comes on for the final 11 minutes.[LNB]77min: More good play from Yaya Toure. The Ivorian runs to the by-line before whipping in a low cross which Gareth Barry just fails to get contact with, nice play.[LNB]76min: God knows how they got his name on the back of that shirt but despite having never seen him play he can't be worse at shooting than Mendes Da Silva.[LNB]74min: Relishing he needs people that can actually get a shot on target to get back in to this, coach Huub Stevens replaces Mendes Da Silva with Thomas Augustinussen.[LNB]72min: Well he has proved me wrong. Mendes Da Silva has another speculative effort but somehow it goes further wide than his last one (see 44min).[LNB]70min: Complete turn around at Juventus who now lead 3-2 against Lech Poznan, who else but veteran Alessandro Del Piero to put them in front.[LNB]Jo-bilant: Jo celebrates doubling City's lead[LNB]68min: Mancni makes his first sub and it is not Kolo Toure, who looks to have run off his problem, but Wayne Bridge who is replaced by youngster Dedryck Boyata.[LNB]64min: That is Salzburg's golden chance of the night gone. Jantscher sends a delightful ball across the goal mouth, but only needing a touch Franz Schiemer completely misses it, another let off for City.[LNB]63min: GOAL! Salzburg 0-2 Manchester City[LNB]Game shot. Carlos Tevez hits a powerful effort from 25 yards out, but Tremmel, who has not been great, can only parry straight to the on rushing Jo who is more than happy to clip home the rebound.[LNB]62min: For all their efforts, Salzburg just don't look near to splitting the City defence, Zarate looks lively but all too often he is left isolated in attack.[LNB]57min: Mancini still happy with his side, as they continue to just go through the motions. Kolo Toure looks like he is struggling a bit, will keep you posted there.[LNB]55min: Double sub from Salzburg, key-man Boghossian who has been quiet is of for Roman Wallner, while Jakob Jantscher replaces Pokrivac.[LNB]54min: Maybe we should have followed Juventus game, they are now level at 2-2 against Lech Poznan.[LNB]52min: Jo has wasted a glorious chance! Yaya Toure chips a perfectly weighted ball over the defence, but as Jo tries to control it in the box, it just bounces off his chest and in to the keeper. Not good enough at this level I'm afraid.[LNB]49min: That was close! From that free-kick Nikola Pokrivac fires a zipping low shot that goes inches past Joe Hart's left post. There is your warning Mancini & Co.[LNB] Control: Jo shrugs off pressure from Ibrahim Sekagva[LNB]47min: Sloppy start from City, Salzburg win a free-kick just outside the box after Kolo Toure is booked for a bodycheck on Gonzalo Zarate.[LNB]19.01: Red Bull XI get the game back under way.[LNB]19.00: More goals news, Juventus got one back just before half-time at home to Lech Poznan, score 2-1 to the visitors.[LNB]18.57: Signs are good for you Blues fans out there, our friends at opta have reliably informed us that City have lost just once in their last nine away games.[LNB]18.52: Dare I say I think City may be showing some complacency, all it takes is for Salzburg to get their set-pieces right and they are back in this. They should really be pushing on to at least get a cushion lead in the second half.[LNB]18.45: No injury time in Salzburg, as Manchester City go in to half-time having done as little as they can for the most they can ask for. Should it be needed they have a few gears to go in to yet.[LNB]Half-time: Salzburg 0-1 Manchester City[LNB]44min: David Mendes Da Silva also agrees, but his shot from 25 yards out is sliced well wide, consolation for him is he can only get closer.[LNB]43min: Worth a go. Jo with his back to goal and under pressure 20 yards out swivels and hits a powerful effort, but it's straight at Tremmel at a comfortable height. I like the shoot on site policy though.[LNB]40min: That should be two! Tevez lays off Silva in the box where the Spaniard shows a neat turn to fool everyone but his shot is tipped wide by Tremmel who did well to stay on his feet and not buy Silva's tricks.[LNB]38min: More goals news from this group and Juventus are now 2-0 down at home to Lech Poznan. How the mighty have fallen.[LNB]36min: Kolo Toure is throwing himself at everything this eveninm. Joaquin Boghossian's whipping cross is once again cleared by the diving Ivorian's head for a...yup, you've guessed it a corner.[LNB]High jump: Manchester City's Nigel de Jong leaps for the ball with Christoph Leitgeb of Salzburg[LNB]34min: But now it's City's turn for a corner as Carlos Tevez powerful strike cannons off Rabiu Afolabi, it's cleared easily meaning I ave no hope of either of these sides scoring a set-piece this evening.[LNB]31min: Still no goal threat but they keep winning corners do Salzburg, and this one is the most threatening yet. Ibrahim Sekagya's volley looping on to the top of the cross bar, looks like nervous Joe had it covered though.[LNB]28min: ...Which this time Joe Hart clears, he still looks nervous does the young English keeper. I wonder if the Austrians have picked up on that?[LNB]27min: Another set-piece for Salzburg as they win a corner, which Jo clears behind for another...[LNB]24min: Not a classic so far chances hard to come by but City are certainly not pushing forward for a second. Very slow tempo to this game.[LNB]21min: Interesting news in this group's other match. Juventus are 1-0 down at home to Lech Poznan...one of the teams I would of put in the made up pile. (see 17.30)[LNB]18min: Carlos Tevez, now with short locks, takes advantage of some more poor defending from Salzburg. Stealing the ball off Christian Schwegler before testing Gerhard Temmel with a 20-yard effort that the keeper does not deal with convincly.[LNB]17min: Fans are quiet in the stadium, but in fairness they have nothing to cheer as Man City are bossing this.[LNB]14min: Pressure from Salzburg, they have a free-kick deep down the left, moments after winning a corner, but City clear easily and are fairly comfortable in this opening quarter of an hour.[LNB]12min: Very simple for Mancini's side so far, they have hardly broke sweat and are happy to keep Salzburg chasing shadows.[LNB]10min: It was all too easy really, that was City's first real chance.[LNB] Silva lining: David Silva scores his first City goal[LNB]8min: GOAL! Salzburg 0-1 Manchester City[LNB]A patient City move ends when Wayne Bridge's low cross is not dealt with by Salzburg, with David Silva slamming home the loose ball in the box, his first goal for the club.[LNB]5min: So much for the early domination from City, Salzburg look quick on the counter (dare I say they have wings) and a cross to Joe Hart is strangely tipped away instead of caught....I just wonder about his confidence right now.[LNB]3min: Early corner for City, which David Silva takes but fails to trouble 'Team Red Bull's' defence.[LNB]1min: Nice early possession from City, all you can see in this stadium are Red Bull logos everywhere.[LNB]It's a mystery the owners don't just complete a hostile takeover and name Salzburg 'Team Red Bull'.[LNB]17.59: City get this one under way then[LNB]17.57: Teams are out on a clear night in Salzburg, with Manchester City in their change strip of navy blue.[LNB]17.53: Just before kick-off, It's worth reading Chris Wheeler's piece on Roberto Mancini by clicking here, on how the Italian is very much focused on guiding City to Europe success.[LNB]17.51: No surprise in the defence but still no chance of a start for Shay Given who may have to settle for cold nights in the mid-week Carling Cup matches.[LNB]17.48: Strength in depth is evident with Adam Johnson rested, so £24m man David Silva gets a chance to impress...the luxury.[LNB]17.46: In fact City only have two fit strikers and they both start with Jo and Tevez leading the line.[LNB]17.43: On to team news, any of you wondering why Adebayor is missing tonight, is because he is injured with a dead leg.[LNB]17.40: City's visit to Austria is also their first since their Cup Winners Cup final back in 1970, the club's only European success when they beat Gornik Zabrze 2-1 in Vienna.[LNB]Ah what a great competition that was! The nostalgic man in me wants it brought back.[LNB] Ready for Red Bull: Mancini will expecting his side to pick up three points.[LNB]17.38: Excluding qualifiers, Salzburg have played an English side just twice in Europe.[LNB]Blackburn fans will remember beating and drawing against the Austrians in 2006.[LNB]Thanks to opta for that stat.[LNB]17.36: Good news for City tonight. The match will be played on grass.[LNB]Stick with me on this one, Only recently the Austrian side played on an artificial surface. Which as you may remember caused Tottenham so many problems when they played the Young Boys. [LNB]No such problems for Mancini's men tonight.[LNB]17.33: Don't forget first up is Salzburg v Man City, but if you stick with this page Liverpool against Steaua Bucharest follows straight after.[LNB]17.30: This competition often takes stick for being the 'Mickey Mouse Cup' of Europe or being referred to as the little brother of the Champions League, but I don't think those tags are fairly justified.[LNB]Good evening, sorry for that little rant there to start us off but there are some damn fine teams in this competition.[LNB]While there may be some filler teams in the Europa League, you only have to look at last nights Champions League matches to see that even Europe's elite has a few 'bad apples'.[LNB]Liverpool's opponents are former European Cup winners, while Salzburg are backed by Red Bull and are by no mean minnows in this group.[LNB]While I am prepared to admit I have not got a clue who half the teams are in this Europa League (UEFA could have made them up for all I know). We can at least rely on Manchester City and Liverpool to serve up some entertainment....can't we?[LNB] Gunning for Europe: Manchester City are first in action as they visit Salzburg[LNB] On the road with... Manchester City: No time for sightseeing in beautiful Salzburg as Roberto Mancini eyes European successI have no fears over misfiring Torres, insists Liverpool boss HodgsonLIVERPOOL FC
