Liverpool – Unirea Urziceni

Join us at 20.05 GMT to see Liverpool's first efforts in the Europa League, against Unirea.

Evening all and welcome to live text commentary of Liverpool v Unirea Urziceni in the last-32 of the Europa League.

Team news is in ahead of tonight's clash, so here it goes...

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Aurelio, Mascherano, Aquilani, Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera, Ngog.

Subs: Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Lucas, Insua, Degen, Pacheco.

Unirea Urziceni: Arlauskis, Maftei, Galamaz, Bruno Fernandes, Brandan, Paraschiv, Onofras, Paduretu, Apostol, Frunza, Bilasco.

Subs: Tudor, Mehmedovic, Rusescu, Nicu, Vilana, Marinescu, Bordeanu.

Not too many surprises in the Liverpool starting line-up then, and we're expecting a 4-5-1 as usual from Benitez with Kuyt and Riera on the flanks and Gerrard pushing up to play in 'the hole' just off lone front man David Ngog.

Remember that both of these teams exited the Champions League at the group stages. Liverpool were knocked out after defeats to Lyon at home and Fiorentina home and away - edging out Hungarian minnows Debrecen to secure Europa League football.

Unirea, then managed by former Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday Dan Petrrescu (now bossed by Israeli coach Ronny Levy) were sent packing by Sevilla and Stuttgart, but edged out Rangers to book their place in this competition.

"You'll never walk alone" is being belted out by the Liverpool supporters as the players line up in the tunnel.

It's Rafa's only opportunity to win a trophy for the Anfield club this season, unless some sort of Premier League based miracle occurs, of course!

Liverpool won this compettiton, in it's old format, in 2001 when Gerard Houllier guided the Reds to a 5-4 victory (after extra-time) in what I seem to remember was one of the best European finals I've ever seen!

Right, we're off and it's Unirea who started things...

Ball immediately given the ball away to Ngog, who spread it wide to Riera.

Great early chance! Kuyt plays in Gerrad just inside the area- he took it on a right-foot volley and Arlauskis saved well!

Corner for Liverpool and Gerrard takes it but it's cleared away. Goalkeeper looked unconvincing that time.

Hats off to him for the first save though, Liverpool were fast out of the blocks there.

Liverpool come forward again and I thought there was a fan on the pitch for a moment there. It is of course the fifth (or sixth?) official.

Aquliani and Aurelio linking well and Unirea chasing shadows at the moment.

Unirea won the Romanian League title last season for the first time in their history. Their previous best finish had been second in 2006.

Paraschiv playing in a holding midfield role for Unirea and he looks like he's been charged with marking Steven Gerrard, good luck.

Maftei advances down the right for Unirea but Mascherano is in quickly to intercept.

Fernandes with a less-than-generous backpass to his goalkeeper but Arlauskis hoofs it to safety.

Whoever goes through this one will play the winner of Lille v Fenerbahce. Lille won the first-leg 2-1 earlier in France.

Aurelio and Riera combine down the left and Liverpool seem happy to patiently keep possession at the moment.

Unirea have a throw-in in the Liverpool half but they've given away a free-kick.

Unirea striker Bilasco and Mascherano go in for a tasty 50-50 and it's the Argentina midfielder who has won the ball/

Kuyt with some space on the edge of the area, he tries to play it to Ngog but mishits it.

He's got it back though and he fires it goalwards. Great save Arlauskis.

Turned away for a corner and again the goalkeeper looks unsure of the Gerrard delivery but Unirea clear their lines.

Liverpool again stream forward, but Riera's ball is picked up by Paduretu.

But Unirea just can't string two passes together and Aquliani threads it to Kuyt down the right. The Dutchman gets the cross in but it's headed away.

Free-kick to Liverpool now about 35 yards out after the foul on Mascherano.

Gerrard and Aurelio standing over it...

It's Aurelio who strikes it but it's curled wide of the right post.

Here comes the red wave again and Carragher is among a host of Liverpool players who have been gifted so much time on the ball.

Bilasco looks to counter after nicking the ball. He's got pace but Liverpoool are back quickly and he has got little support.

Riera with time to pick out a cross again but it's a poor delivery. That extra ref continues to confuse me - must be his tracksuit bottoms.

CGerrard flights a fantastic ball into the box from 40 yards away. Ngog tries to control it but he can't quite get hold of it.

Aquilani with an incisive pass to Riera down the left, he crosses in and it's a much better delivery...

And Gerrard's missed a good opportunity. it was a free header on the penalty spot and he sent it wide.

Liverpool coming into this one on the back of a defeat to Arsenal, while it's been a long while since Unirea last played. They are currently second in the Romanian League behind Cluj.

Unirea sitting extremely deep at the moment and they're happy to just work Liverpool on the counter.

It's another Liverpool corner, Gerrard to take...

It's long and deep and left-back Brandan heads it out for yet another corner.

Riera's cross this time and it's long again. Too long.

Bilasco holds the ball up well as it's cleared away but he's feeding on scraps, no support.

Maftei comes forward at speed, looking threatening. And he's won a free-kick about 30 yards out after being fouled by Mascherano.

Frunza has tried an outrageous effort, made all the more ridiculous in that it dribbled through to Reina with a serious lack of speed. Surely they should have put it in the box?!

Paraschiv comes through the middle for Unirea but it's another sloppy ball.

Fernandes with another dodgy looking back pass and he's making Arlauskis work hard for his money this evening.

Riera has a crack from distanc with his left foot. Deflected off Fernandes for a corner.

Riera strides over to take it...

But Bilasco pushed by Ngog and Unirea can breathe again. They haven't had too much time to do that so far.

Unirea have scored eight goals in Europe this season, and threeof them have been courtesy of Manchester United's second favourite striker - own goal.

Long ball over the top searches for Bilasco and Skrtel almost makes a hash of it.

But don't worry Liverpool fans, he didn't.

Unirea actually building some pressure in the Liverpool half with a couple of throw-ins in succession. Brandan and Paduretu work it well but, shockingly, it's given away again.

Agger, Aurelio and Aquilani have a nice interchange but Aurelio fires the cross long. Deliveries have been poor thus far.

Carragher again looking lonely, in acres of space.

Aurelio has just tried one from 35 yards. Nowhere near.

Liverpool just had 21 passes in a row without getting in behind Unirea. No end product.

Aurelio and Ngog played a nice one-two on the edge but the French striker just couldn't manufacture a chance.

I kid you not, I've just seen Jamie Carragher hit a shot from 35 yards - with his left foot! he's won a corner though so fair play to him.

Riera's ball in and the keeper does a little better to punch away this time.

Another corner here - is that eight so far?

Delivery not a dangerous one and Unirea clear it forward and, guess what, Liverpool begin to attack again.

Another corner now for Liverpool after a nice ball from Riera.

And another... I can't count now. Agger hit one from distance that was deflected.

Delivery cleared again but Benitez's side still on the attack.

Fantastic from Ngog, takes the ball on his chest, turned and took a touch to tee it up for himself. his effort was deflected wide for....A CORNER!

I'll let you guess what's happened next...nothing - as Unirea are starting to be able to deal with these deliveries in their sleep.

Liverpool have been utterly dominant but after Gerrard's effort inside 30 seconds I thought we could be in for a goal fest...how wrong I was.

Better cross from Aquilani but 'keeper Alauskis is up to it and he knocks it clear.

It's embarassing to watch Unirea really, although i think I've just counted four passe... and there it ends.

Gerrard came sprinting through the middle and Fernandes brought him down cynically. Free-kick 25 yards out in an excellent position.

Yellow card for Fernandes.

Agger strikes it but it's straight into the wall.

Onofras looks to counter for Unirea but Riera is back to pickpocket him.

Gerrard collects the ball on the edge of the box and gets a strike away. it's into the grateful grasp of Arlauskis but it was a handball by the Liverpool captain.

Another few passes threaded together by Frunza and Bilasco and this time the striker has won a free-kick in an advanced position down the right.

Surely this time it will be swung in. It's Brandan to take.

Carragher heads it out and Apostol puts a cross back in but it's gathered by Reina, who was fouled in the process of gathering the ball.

Mascherano switches it with a diagonal pass to riera. he controls it well but it's a heavy second touch and the Spanish winger gives away the ball.

I can sense a little frustration among the crowd, as two added minutes are confirmed at the end of the half.

Same old story for Liverpool - struggling to get the goals. Gerrard looking a little frustrated too.

HALF-TIME. Liverpool 0-0 Unirea Urziceni. Gerrard's early chance the best of the half, though Ngog had a good little effort too. Unirea definitely doing the job they came to do - if that was to bore Liverpool into submission. But seriously, they have been extremely defeensive and despite a host of corners for the home side, we're still goalless at Anfield. Grab a cup of tea and i will see you in 15 minutes.

And we're off...

Gerrard annd Ngog get things started for Liverpool. Noc hanges as yet as we go into the second-half. Please, let there be some goals...

Paduretu breaks for Unirea but he's tackled well by Mascherano, despite his insistence otherwise.

Corner for Liverpool and it's Gerrard to deliver..

But again it's long. This time Carragher picks it up and puts in a cross of his own. But Fernandes up to the task and he boots it forward.

Riera takes it off Maftei but Onofras wins it back and he interchanges well with a nice back-heel to Bilasco.

But Liverpool pick it up again and launch another attack of their own.

There are so many Unirea players and they are working so hard, considering they haven't played since mid-December.

Unirea take on Cluj this weekend ina top-of-the-table clash.

Lovely touch from Bilasco and Unirea with a good passing move as Brandan goes down the left wing.

But you gueesed it, it breaks down and Riera - who must have seen more of the ball tonight than any other Liverpool player - has it down the left.

It's switched to Carraghjer who puts a great delivery in but Gerrard fires a header wide for the second time this evening.

Free-kick to Unirea after Aquilani blocked off Apostol.

And bit-by-bit Unirea are advancing - but now here comes Gerrard and Riera.

Big sighs around Anfield as Padrueta picks up the ball and goes on a great run. He twinkletoes his way through and wins a corner. Unirea's first.

Frunza takes it but it doesn't make it past the near post.

Unirea again breaking now but it breaks down again. It's break upon break from either side at the moment.

Maftei is down and I don't think he'd have been hurt so much in that challenge with Riera if he had his shin pads pulled up. Where's the health and safety officer when you need them.

The crowd seem frustrated and Aurelio produces another underwhelming cross.

Gerrard brought down and Brandan gets booked.

He will be missing for the retun leg. Free-kick taken to Carragher down the right, he cuts inside to tee-up Gerrard but the captain has fired it high into the Kop.

Aquilani and Carragher combine well and Fernandes just pickes the ball of Gerrard's foot.

Free-kick Unirea just inside the Liverpool half. Brandan knocks it into the box...

I forgot to mention, there were no Unirea players there so it's handled by Reina.

Chance for Unirea!

Paduretu was in acres on the edge of the Liverpoolboc and he fired a decent left foot shot just wide. At least they've had an attempt on goal though.

Great save by Arlauskis - he's palmed away a fierce low shot by Aurelio around his left post.

Corner comes in and it's a Unirea free-kick for pushing.

LIVEPROOL SUB: Babel on for Riera.

Riera has, for want of a better word, been bobbins! Terrible, rubbish - all of the above.

He's had so much of the ball but has done so little with it.

Babel skips past the challenge of Maftei - exciting stuff from the Dutchman. Good ball to the back post and Gerrard but he's blocked out well by Galamaz - good strength from the defender.

It's still all Liverpool as the Anfield faithful urge the Reds to go forward. At the momeht they are just going sideways - it's like watching a game of rugby.

Fantastic defence from Unirea, they have looked airtight.

Great inter-play between Maftei and Paraschiv to make Gerrard look a little foolish.

The Romanian champions are clearly growing in confidence and have started to pass it around better now.

But still Liverpool press as Mascherano tries another long-range effort.

Great ball by Carragher down the line for Kuyt but it's a poor final delivery - not for the first time tonight by Liverpool.

Free-kick Unirea after Mascherano fouls Apostol.

Mascherano booked.

Apostol adavnces for Unirea and a mix-up between Agger and Reina sees the defender take the ball away from his goalkeeper. Apostol has another run into the box but he's spooned his shot wide.

Liverpool corner now after Gerrard and Ngog combine well in a tight area. Unirea defenders were on him like a shot.

Skrtel should have scored!

Aurelio's corner found the defender unmarked but he's headed over the bar.

Aurelio with some space and it's crossed in towards Ngog...

It's not a great cross though and Ngog manages to get his head on it but can't direct it goalwards.

Babel sprints forward but he's not really having any more luck than Riera. Maftei tackles well.

It's pinball in the Unirea box. Gerrard took a first-time right-foot effort from a difficult angle. It was palmed away by the goalkeeper. Carragher heads it back in and Ngog fires over.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Pacheco on for Aquilani

An attacking sub from rafa? Surely not! Pacheco is a great little player though and could make a difference.

Gerrard dropping a little deeper now to try and control proceedings from the middle of the park.

UNIREA SUB: Marinescu on for Onofras

Elsewhere, Fulham are beating reigning Europa League champs Shakhtar 2-1.

Reina has the ball for Liverpool as the Reds try desperately to create an opening.

Mascherano caught in posession by Apostol and he's got some space to tun into...

He advances to the edge of the area and curls one right footed. But it's wide.

Kuyt crosses from the right and Arlauskis gets an unconventional fist to it. I'm not sure he was even looking at the ball!

GOAL! Ngog.

Liverpool 1-0 Unirea. Finally they've done it! Babel's cross from the left was nodded back across ball from Pacheco and Ngog with the easiest of headed finishes.

It was brilliant from Pacheco, cracking composure from the youngster. Credit to Ngog as well, it was a poachers finish and that's his seventh goal of the season.

Liverpool looking for a second now, and will Unriea be able to keep their composure?

They've made a good start, Mascherano's foul (though he did get the ball - it was a tackle from behind) results in a free-kick for the Romanians.

Babel tiptoes through down the left and pulls it back but it's cleared. A second bite of the cherry for Kuyt now and he runs inside the box, takes a touch to get it past Fernandes but he's tackled.

Great effort from Gerrard. Powerful shot from the edge of the box but it's leaked wide of the left post.

UNIREA SUB: Viliana on for Paraschiv

Brazilian Viliana is also a defensive midfielder - staright swap for the reigning Romanian champs.

Ngog is down injured, and with Liverpool hardly possessing a plethora of striking options that's not great news.

He's limping but he's up. Fear not Reds fans - the main man is back in the action.

Lovely piece of interplay between Kuyt and Pacheco, and Mascherano is brought down on the edge of the area.

The ref has given a corner - bad decision though. He got absolutely none of the ball - it was close to the edge of the box, but not inside. Free-kick yes, penalty no.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Lucas on for Ngog.

UNIREA SUB: Rusescu on for Paduretu

Unirea free-kick in a dangerous area. It's cleared immediatey though and Liverpool have a five on one attack...

But it's a poor first touch by Pacheco and it's broken down by Vilana, who gratefully hoofs it out.

Four minutes of added time confirmed. Vilana gives it to Amrinescu who tiptoes inside past Aurelio and passes to Maftei, whose cross is deflected out for a throw-in.

Unirea prssing now for an equaliser as their fans are in full voice.

Free-kick to Liverpool now, and they will be happy to just play this one out now after a good spell for Unirea.

Full time whistle goes...

FULL-TIME. Liverpool 1-0 Unirea. An average performance and an average result for Benitez's side. Liverpool were undoubtedly the better side but Unirea stuck to their game plan well and thoroughly frustrated the Reds.

It was ood goal in the end and I say this rarely but it was Benitez's subs that made the difference as Babel and Pacheco were both involved for Ngog's winner. Thanks for joining us and check out the site for details on the night's other results I've had Panathinaikos v Roma on in the corner of my eye and it's been an absolute cracker! Well, that's all folks.