Goals from Joe Cole, a penalty from Ngog, a late strike from Lucas Leiva, and an even later goal from Ngog, sealed all three points from Liverpool’s opening Group K fixture at home to Steaua Bucharest. Tanase cancelled out Cole’s first minute strike, but after the break David Ngog from the spot and a brilliant goal from Leiva sealed victory, before the French forward got his second of the evening in injury time. - Group K Table -

With Liverpool facing a trip to Old Trafford on Sunday, Roy Hodgson chose to rest captain Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres for the visit of Steaua in the Europa League.

The home side got off to a perfect start with a goal inside the first minute of play. Joe Cole seized on a poor backpass before curling a shot Tatarusanu and in off the post.

The Romanians equalised against the run of play on 13 minutes. Striker Tanase beat Reina with a well-placed shot into the far corner to make it 1-1.

Liverpool started the second-half camped in Steaua’s half and their pressure was rewarded on 56 minutes. Kapetanos was penalised for a foul on Kyrgiakos in the box and Ngog made no mistake from the penalty spot.

The Merseysiders made the game safe in the final ten minutes as second-half substitute Lucas Leiva found the top corner with a wonderful shot from outside the box. Ngog added a fourth for the home side in injury time as the Reds started their Europa League campaign in fine form.


- Match Stats: Liverpool 4-1 Steaua Bucharest

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Konchesky, Spearing, Meireles, Maxi (Pachecho, 85), Cole (Ecclestone, 88), Babel (Lucas Leiva, 78), Ngog

Booked: Maxi

Goals: Cole 1, Ngog 56 (pen), 90, Lucas Leiva 81

Steaua Bucharest: Tatarusanu, Emeghara (Nicolita, 20), Abrudan, Geraldo, Latovlevici, Radut (Surdu, 72), Angelov (Eder, 52), Bicfalvi, Tanase, Stancu, Kapetanos

Booked: Abrudan, Kapetanos

Goals: Tanase 13