Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool v Steaua Bucharest live
Liverpool will hope to join fellow Premier League side Manchester City in the last 32 of the Europa League when they travel to Romania to take on Group K rivals Steaua Bucharest. Roy Hodgson's side only need a draw to ensure progression but the Romanian outfit may only need to win themselves to qualify and will provide a stern test for the Reds. Follow Sportsmail's live coverage of the action where you can fire away all your thoughts on the action to dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk[LNB] Steaua Bucharest 1-1 Liverpool (6pm)Steaua Bucurest: Tatarusanu, Eder, Geraldo, Gardos, Latovlevici, Gomes, Bicfalvi (Angelov 46), Nicolita, Surdu, Tanase, Stancu.Subs: Lungu, Emeghara, Abrudan, Martinovic, Matei.[LNB]Goals: Bonfim 61.[LNB]Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Aurelio, Poulsen, Pacheco (Lucas 89), Shelvey, Jovanovic (Eccleston 79), Cole (Ngog 75), Babel.Subs: Jones, Skrtel, Flanagan, Robinson.[LNB]Goals: Jovanovic 19.[LNB]Referee: Bulent Yildirim (Turkey)[LNB]19.59: So to sign off, this is how Group K looks with just one match to go.[LNB]Liverpool will top the group with at least nine points with Steaua and Napoli following on six and four points respectively.[LNB]Those two sides will fight it out alone for second spot as Utrecht with four points (and an inferior head to head record) are out. Liverpool's final game is at Anfield against the Dutch side.[LNB]That's a wrap folks. Liverpool and Manchester City both comfortably through to the last 32 of the Europa League on a day which won't exactly go down as English football's greatest. (Two votes and all that)[LNB]Don't forget to return at the weekend for Sportsmail's live coverage of the Premier League, until then thank you for following.[LNB]19.56: The groups other game finished 3-3 so goals fans amongst you may be slightly disappointed, given that the first-half had five goals.[LNB]19.53: Job done then. Pepe Reina can even afford to make himself the topic of banter on the plane home as his error still means Liverpool will progress from Group K as winners.[LNB]Full-time: Steaua Bucharest 1-1 Liverpool[LNB]90+1min: Three minutes injury time, Steaua pushing for a winner.[LNB]90min: Final sub for Liverpool as Lucas is on for Pacheco, who presumably will go to read up on the offside rule himself.[LNB]89min: From the corner Kyrgiakos jumps for the header but he is beaten to it by a Steaua defender before the ball falls to Pacheco out on the wing.[LNB]He is promptly given offside which has promptly made me get out the football rule book, that's a new one to me.[LNB]88min: There is a corner for Liverpool, though, how many men will they push forward to go for a morale boosting winner?[LNB]86min: Shoot from distance is the new tactic for Steaua.[LNB]Tanse's 25 yard effort is pretty close to Reina but given his earlier howler and that Jabulani ball, he copes pretty well with it.[LNB]84min: There is only one winner in this game, Steaua with all the play but they still can't create much. Liverpool have got nowhere near since Kyrgiakos hit the bar. That feels a long time ago now.[LNB] Acrobatics: Nicolita attempts a volley with Jovanovic looking on[LNB] [LNB]81min: Goalscorer Bonfim is booked for a body check on Eccleston. Taking one for the team I think they call it.[LNB]80min: Not to be outdone Marius Lacatus brings on his own sub as fan favourite Janos Szekely comes on for Surdu.[LNB]79min: Hodgson makes his second move as Jovanovic is replaced by Nathan Eccleston.[LNB]78min: That is unlucky, some more pressure results in Tanase's powerful dipping shot just clearing the crossbar.[LNB]77min: Game has hit a lull, which is fortunate for Liverpool because Steaua were just starting to get well on top. Hosts still look like the likely winners though.[LNB]75min Here comes Ngog then as he replaces Joe Cole who does not look to pleased, but he has faded badly in this second-half and to be fair is probably not match fit.[LNB]73min: Ah there you go, Hodgson has decided David Ngog is that man as he gets ready to come on.[LNB]72min: Bucharest have all the ball again but unlike the first half look very dangerous with it.[LNB]Hodgson ideally needs to make a substitute but looking at the bench I can't see anyone who can help settle down this Liverpool side.[LNB]70min: What is Aurelio doing? His headed clearance acts more as a knockdown for Nicolita who after taking a couple of touches blasts his shot just wide of the near post from the edge of the penalty area.[LNB]68min: The good news is as it stands Liverpool will still go through as they only need a draw.[LNB]But there is another twist in this group as it's now 3-3 in Holland with Edison Cavani netting a hat-trick for Napoli.[LNB]66min: But it's Liverpool who nearly core again as Kyrgiakos' header from a corner crashes against the crossbar and out with Tatarusanu in no-mans land.[LNB]65min: Much noisier atmosphere now, home fans scent blood and are urging their side to get another.[LNB]63min: And just like the first goal there is a booking straight after. With Banel Nicolita particularly late in a challenge.[LNB] Shock: Eder Bonfim celebrates after his header squirms through Reina's hands to give Steaua an equaliser[LNB]61min: GOAL! STEAUA BUCHAREST 1-1 Liverpool[LNB]Shocking from Reina, he is the last keeper on the planet you would expect to make a howler like that.[LNB]Angelov chips the ball in from the right and Eder Bonfim's header looks like it lacks power to trouble the Spaniard.[LNB]But he completely fumbles it letting it go through his legs and over the line as he tries to scoop it out in vain.[LNB]60min: They look a bit stronger this half do Bucharest and the Liverpool backline is just starting to make a few errors. Not looking quite so comfortable this half.[LNB]56min: Getting closer, Bucharest are just starting to find gaps at the back and a lovely one touch move ends with the ball falling just too far in front of Surdu in the tbox.[LNB]53min: Dear me that is awful! Iasmin Latovlevci blasts the free-kick miles over the bar. A truly shocking effort.[LNB]52min Reckless from Wilson as he pole axes Stancu with a sliding tackle and Bucharest have a free-kick 35 yards out. No booking which I'm surprised about it was quite rash.[LNB]50min: Nearly an equaliser there. Steaua win another corner but after going short, Tanase whips the ball in with Geraldo Alves' free header fortunate enough to be straight at Reina. Let off for Liverpool.[LNB] Control: Daniel Pacheco (right) fights for the ball[LNB]48min: Same pattern as the first so far, Bucharest with the ball but Liverpool not being asked too many questions.[LNB]Second-half: And we are back underway.[LNB]19.05: Quick change before we get under way. Attack minded Stanislav Angelov replaces Bicfalvi.[LNB]19.04: Just a draw needed, a goal up and as far as this game goes in cruise control. Surely Liverpool have this job done?[LNB]18.59: I know I have not mentioned him too much so far but Joe Cole is having a solid match for the Reds.[LNB]A little rusty maybe but he is getting stuck in and giving a good account of himself.[LNB]18.56: I say hang on. That Stancu chance aside Liverpool look as relaxed as you can be at the back and Steaua will have to up their game to have any chance of scoring.[LNB]18.53: Incredible game in Holland, it's half-time and Utrecht lead Napoli 3-2, that result would take the Dutch side up into second place in the group...providing Liverpool can hold on here.[LNB]18.50: Job done so far from Liverpool who have done a professional job on their Romanian counterparts.[LNB]The game has lacked chances but Liverpool have taken their best one with both hands.[LNB]Half-time: Steaua Bucharest 0-1 Liverpool[LNB]45min: Two minutes injury time[LNB]43min: This time it isn't fine defending. Kyrgiakos again tries to clear a cross with his head but he only succeeds in knocking the ball down to Stancu who from eight yards out gets a rush of blood to the head and fires wide.[LNB]42min: Fine defending from Liverpool who finally are called into action at the back. Sotirios Kyrgiakos does well to cut out a ball in the box by heading away, with the follow up shot flying wide of the post.[LNB]40min: That just about sums them up. Cristian Tanase does well to find space down the left but his cross in is way off and sails well over the bar.[LNB]39min: All quantity and no quality from the hosts. They have spent a large part of this game in the Liverpool half but I can't remember Reina having a save to make.[LNB]36min: Slightly lucky from Reina he comes to claim the ball in but misses it completely, fortunately for him so does everyone else and just to save his embarrassment he has a little pop at his defence.[LNB]35min: As it stands, Liverpool would also progress as group winners as Bucharest win another corner.[LNB] Beat you to it: Martin Kelly clears the ball before getting fouled by Cristian Tanase[LNB]33min: Liverpool win a corner and it comes from Babel again who is proving to be a menace down the right.[LNB]If he is indeed playing for his Liverpool career he is going the right way about it as Steaua clear their lines from that corner.[LNB]30min: More goals in group k as Utrecht go 2-1 up over Napoli, as it stands that's bad news for Bucharest and irrelevant for Liverpool who of course progress if they win.[LNB]27min: Credit to Babel he has done well when ever he has the ball, and after making dangerous inroads into the box forces Ciprian Tatarusanu to come off his line.[LNB]Babel then lays the ball back to Jovanovic whose shot is blocked before Pacheco fires the rebound wide.[LNB]I am really hoping we can get this win!Carlos Torres, Atlanta, Georgia. [LNB]I assume you are also trying to get over your own World Cup disappointment Carlos![LNB]23min: Very slow tempo to this game, Liverpool look happy to let the hosts have possession and strike on the counter.[LNB]21min: That's a nasty sliding challenge by Surdu on Jonjo Shelvey and he rightly becomes our first booking this evening.[LNB] Headmaster: Jovanovic expertly headed Liverpool into the lead[LNB]19min: GOAL! Steaua Bucharest 0-1 LIVERPOOL[LNB]Clinical. Liverpool's first attack results in a goal. Ryan Babel does well to make space for a cross on the right and Milan Jovanovic leaps highest to direct his header right in to the bottom corner. Bicfalvi take note.[LNB]16min: Fantastic play from Bucharest they switch the play once or twice around the penalty area before Romeo Surdu's cross to the centre is headed over by an unmarked Eric Bicfalvi, good chance that.[LNB]14min: Bucharest more on top and they are passing it around with some purpose, Liverpool dropping far too deep.[LNB]12min: That pesky laser pen is back again, Reina does not seemed to have complained yet but He strangely seems unaware there is a green light circling him.[LNB]11min: Quiet start and InfoStradaLive may have the reason why:[LNB]Liverpool have drawn last two European away matches 0-0. Club record of three away games without scoring was set in Feb-Sep 1965.[LNB]9min: Not much attacking force from Liverpool, Babel has struggled to get in the game but he isn't getting much service.[LNB]7min: A draw in the other game would suit Liverpool and that's exactly what it is. With Utrecht and Napoli drawing 1-1.[LNB]5min: There is that laser pen again as a green flash is shined on Reina's back and his face as he goes to take a goal-kick. He does not seem to notice it but I'm certain many more will now...I'm looking at you UEFA.[LNB]4min: Liverpool still feeling their way into this game and that back four looks like they are still trying to adjust to each other.[LNB]2min: Early pressure from the hosts as they win successive corners.[LNB]Liverpool survive but I have just seen a laser pen targeted at Pepe Reina, hope I'm not the only one and I'm looking at you UEFA.[LNB]Kick-off: We are underway...[LNB]17.59: One very empty stand behind the goal and it doesn't look like the away end. I didn't notice that many empty seats on first glance.[LNB]17.58: That Europa League music is not a touch on the Champions League anthem, i do wonder why they bother with it.[LNB]17.57: Teams make their way out to a not too noisy atmosphere, but there is enough fans in support for the home side.[LNB]17.56: Man to watch for Bucharest is Bogdan Stancu. He is being eyed by a number of European clubs and he will certainly test Wilson.[LNB]17.53: He also mentioned he was very disappointed that England failed to get the World Cup but I suppose that was to be expected.[LNB]17.50: Roy Hodgson on his lineup:[LNB]'It's a big opportunity for the players coming into the side the likes Daniel Pacheco, Danny Wilson and Ryan Babel have featured very little this season and they have a great chance to show what they can do.'[LNB]17.46: Don't think the Liverpool side have got away with it by escaping a country brought to its knees by snow.[LNB]It's just as cold in Romania, gloves and hats galore amongst the players.[LNB]17.43: And without Torres in the lineup, Babel gets a chance to show what he can finally do in attack.[LNB]Now there is a player I have seen a lot of in a Liverpool shirt and I'm not really impressed by what I have seen.[LNB]Can't help but feel Hodgson is giving him a final opportunity this evening before weighing up his options in Januray.[LNB]17.40: Two key players for me this evening are the two 'Dans'.[LNB]Danny Wilson will play just his second game at the back while Daniel Pacheco is highly rated among Reds fans.[LNB]While I admit I have not seen much of either, this game gives them a chance to show us what they have got.[LNB]17.37: No Fernando Torres, no Carragher and no Gerrard. Arguably Liverpool's three key players and they are all missing.[LNB]Big test to see how this squad will cope without those figures in the lineup.[LNB]17.34: Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson makes 10 changes for their Europa League Group K clash against Steaua Bucharest in Romania as midfielder Joe Cole makes his comeback after five weeks out with a hamstring injury.[LNB]Goalkeeper Jose Reina, the only player to survive from Sunday's Barclays Premier League defeat to Tottenham, captains the side in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.[LNB]Reserve team youngsters Jack Robinson and John Flanagan are named on the bench, the latter's first appearance in the senior squad, as Hodgson put his faith in fringe players with eight first-teamers either injured or at home resting. [LNB]The Steaua side contains only six players who started the 4-1 defeat at Anfield in September.[LNB]17.30: I don't think I have ever been so crestfallen when starting one of these live matches, South Africa was bad enough but to have two World Cup failures in one year is a HUGE disappointment.But we must go on and for you Liverpool fans that backed the bid you may have a small luxury in grabbing some consolation this evening by seeing your side qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League.[LNB]Steaua Bucurest v LiverpoolSteaua Bucuresti: Tatarusanu, Eder, Geraldo, Gardos, Latovlevici, Gomes, Bicfalvi, Nicolita, Surdu, Tanase, Stancu. Subs: Lungu, Emeghara, Abrudan, Szekely, Martinovic, Angelov, Matei.Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Aurelio, Poulsen, Pacheco, Shelvey, Jovanovic, Cole, Babel. Subs: Jones, Lucas, Ngog, Skrtel, Flanagan, Eccleston, Robinson.Referee: Bulent Yildirim (Turkey)[LNB] Slightly chilly: Liverpool players train in Bucharest in preparation for their Europa League group match[LNB] Hodgson hopes Liverpool's European exploits can restore Cole's confidence Steaua Bucharest v LIVERPOOL: Joe Cole back to boost Reds in RomaniaGerrard on course for Liverpool return but Carragher out for three monthsALL LIVERPOOL FC
