Striker David Ngog's goal nine minutes from time eventually gave
Liverpool a 1-0 win over Unirea Urziceni at Anfield in the Europa
League.
With the visitors intent on soaking up plenty of pressure
Rafael Benitez's side struggled to find the creativity to get past
the massed Romanian ranks.
However, the Frenchman's close-range header meant the Reds
have some breathing space as they head to Bucharest for next week's
last-32 second leg.
The victory was only Liverpool's third in nine European
fixtures since they hammered Real Madrid 4-0 in the last 16 of the
Champions League 11 months ago - a disappointing run which
contributed to their exit from Europe's elite-level competition in
December.
Their job would have been easier had Steven Gerrard converted
their first chance after just 25 seconds when Unirea lost
possession straight from the kick-off.
Albert Riera and Dirk Kuyt linked up for the Dutchman to put
the midfielder through but his side-foot shot was tipped over by
goalkeeper Giedrius Arlauskis, who then punched away the Liverpool
captain's corner.
Unirea's 4-5-1 formation meant they were happy to keep 10 men
behind the ball and when Liverpool gained possession they all
immediately retreated to the halfway line - meaning the hosts had
to work hard for their openings.
However, Kuyt enjoyed some luck in the 10th minute when his
heavy touch in the penalty area was not cleared and he followed up
to flash a shot across goal which Arlauskis tipped past the post.
Gerrard was next to miss a chance, planting a 12-yard header
from Riera's cross well wide.
Riera tried his luck from distance in the 26th minute but his
left-foot drive was deflected wide by George Galamaz.
The game had taken on an attack versus defence training
exercise with Unirea rarely venturing forward.
When they did, with a counter-attack just after the
half-hour, Marius Onofras attempted an audacious lob over Jose
Reina from the halfway line wide on the right but the Spain
goalkeeper comfortably claimed.
Javier Mascherano's 30-yard drive was deflected wide by
Razvan Paduretu while Ngog's shot on the turn from just inside the
penalty area was also diverted wide.
Five minutes before half-time Bruno Fernandes was booked for
bringing down Gerrard as he looked to burst clear but Daniel Agger
drilled the 35-yard free-kick straight into the wall.
Heartened by their first half performance Unirea looked more
inclined to go forward after the break but it was Liverpool who had
the first chance with Gerrard heading wide again from Jamie
Carragher's 52nd-minute cross.
Pablo Brandan was booked for tripping Gerrard in the
centre-circle, ruling him out of next week's second leg through
suspension.
Had Paduretu shown more composure on the edge of the area
Liverpool could have been in trouble but the midfielder hacked
wildly over.
Fabio Aurelio's low drive was on target but he was denied by
a good low save from Arlauskis.
The ineffective Riera was replaced by Ryan Babel for the last
28 minutes and he began encouragingly with two decisive runs, the
latter resulting in a cross to Gerrard at the far post which the
England international could not keep in.
Mascherano was booked for a foul on Iulian Apostol as
Liverpool continued to labour.
Martin Skrtel should have put the home side ahead in the 71st
minute but he headed over Aurelio's inswinging corner from five
yards.
Benitez sent on reserve team striker Daniel Pacheco, making
only his second appearance in Europe, for Alberto Aquilani with
quarter of an hour remaining.
Mascherano was caught in possession by Apostol, who charged
forward 20 yards before curling a shot woefully wide.
With nine minutes to go the breakthrough finally came, with
Pacheco playing an important part.
The diminutive Spaniard, possibly the smallest player on the
pitch, out-jumped his marker at the far post to head back across
goal for Ngog to nod in from five yards.
Gerrard fired just wide in the closing stages as Liverpool
pushed for the second which would give them a cushion ahead of the
second leg.
