Reds march on in Europe.

Liverpool started the night needing just one point against Steaua Bucharest to qualify and knowing that a win would guarantee them top spot in Group K whatever the result in the other match in the group between Utrecht and Napoli. Liverpool boss Roy Hodgsen made 10 changes to the team that played at Spurs on Sunday with only goal keeper Pepe Reina keeping his place. Reina was also appointed captain in the absence of Gerrard and Carragher through injury, as the most experienced player. Liverpool used the game to give vital experience to young players and fringe players as Martin Kelly, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Danny Wilson and Fabio Aurelio made up the back four while Milan Jovanovic, Christian Poulsen, Jonjo Shelvey and Dani Pacheco played in midfield, with Cole in an advanced position and Ryan Babel in a lone attacking role.

Jovanovic celebrates scoring for Liverpool in Bucharest.

Liverpool where nearly behind after just 15 minutes when a Steaua corner was headed over the bar by Bicfalvi, who had a free header in the middle of the goal, however they took the lead just 4 minutes later when a good run by Ryan Babel down the right ended in a clever cut back that allowed a cross into the middle. Babel's left footed cross was then met by Milan Jovanovic, who was unmarked, and the Serbian then put a powerful header into the bottom left corner. Liverpool looked to extend their lead as a clearance up field released Babel down the left who picked out Cole but his first touch let him down. He then managed to find Jovanovic who picked out Pacheco but his shot was wide leaving the away team to take a 1-0 lead in at half time.

The second half was one to forget from a Liverpool point of view as they hardly got out of their own half with an extremely negative display in what Liverpool fans have become accustomed to under Hodgsen. A deflected cross then allowed Bonfin then got the hosts level as Reina, who is usually so reliable, allowed his tame headed to slip through his legs and under his body to just about cross the line despite his best efforts at a recovery. Kyrgiakos then hit the crossbar with a good header from a corner when the Steaua keeper came off his line in what was Liverpool's last real chance in the game after just 65mins, which sums up how negatively they played after the break.

Hodgsen wont mind however as his young Liverpool team have qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League and are all but guaranteed to finish top of the group as the other game ended in a 3-3 draw between Utrecht and Napoli which leaves Liverpool with a 3 point lead and a 6 goal advantage over their nearest rivals.