Liverpool fought back from a goal down to beat Unirea Urziceni 3-1- in Bucharest. Joao Bruno Fernandes gave the hosts the lead in the 19th minute, but a strike from Javier Mascherano ten minutes later levelled the game, before goals from Babel and Gerrard secured the Reds a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Unirea started the return-leg intent on scoring an early goal, and after a positive start, Urziceni surprised the visitors with a goal just before the 20 minute mark. Joao Bruno Fernandes evaded his marker before powering a header past Pepe Reina to give the Romanian league champions the lead.

The goal brought Liverpool to life. Gerrard came close, firing over from just outside the box, before Mascherano hit his first goal of the season with an excellently struck shot from 25 yards out. The midfielder’s well-taken goal meant that Unirea needed two more goals to go through.

Following some sustained pressure from the Romanians, the Merseysiders took the lead five minutes before half-time. Ryan Babel got on the end of a Steve Gerrard free-kick to beat Arlauskis at his near post.

Any hopes of Unirea causing an upset disappeared on 57 minutes. A mazey run from Yossi Benayoun took the midfielder into the Romanian box, before passing to Gerrard who beat Arlauskis with a low shot into the back of the net.

With the tie now in the bag, the Reds took their foot off the peddle, but Unirea still couldn’t find a through. It was to be a comfortable final half an hour for Liverpool who now face Lille who beat Fenerbache in the last 32.


- Match Stats: Unirea Urziceni 1-3 Liverpool

Unirea Urziceni: Arlauskis, Maftei, Galamaz (Mehmedovic, 28), Bruno Fernandes, Bordeanu, Paduretu, Paraschiv (Vilana, 56), Apostol, Onofras (Semedo, 62), Bilasco, Frunza

Booked: Onofras, Fernandes, Arlauskis

Goals: Bruno Fernandes 19

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher (Kelly, 61), Agger, Skrtel (Kyrgiakos, 66), Insua, Babel, Gerrard, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun (Aurelio, 78), Ngog

Booked: Babel, Mascherano

Goals: Mascherano 29, Babel 40, Gerrard 57