Kuyt Goal Gets Reds Through

Following last weeks Stalemate in Prague Liverpool went in to the game knowing that any kind of win would send them through to the next round of the Europa League and a last 16 tie against either Lech Poznan or Braga. There was a few changes to the line up this week with Agger replacing Carragher, Poulsen coming in to the midfield, Joe Cole starting on the Left and Martin Kelly returning to the team at right back. With Gerrard still out injured and Carragher on the bench it meant that Reina was the captain for the night.
This week both sides tried to show more ambitition and desire to win however the game was still quite uneventfull but in comparison to the last match it was rather entertaining. Liverpool could have had a penalty early on when the ball his a Sparta player on the hand but the ref judged that it was unintentional and allowed play to go on. Liverpool then gave Sparta a number of chances following some poor defending and Reina saved two shots and watched another go over as the away team pressed for an away goal.

Kyrgiakos came close to giving the reds the lead just a few moments later as he got on the end of a Meireles corner but his good header toward the bottom left corner of the goal was well saved by Blazek in the Sparta goal. A very rare mistake from Pepe Reina nearly cost Liverpool a goal as he flapped at a cross from a free kick but Wilson was there at left back to head clear. Much of Liverpool's good play in the first half came down the right as Kelly looked to get forward all the time and Kuyt's work rate meant there was always support. Kelly found Meireles with a great cross but Liverpool's form player could only direct his shot over the bar. Kelly's next cross found Cole who for some reason headed it back where it came from instead of towards the goal. Cole had Liverpool's next chance as well when he cut in on his right foot but his shot was straight at Blazek who cleared the danger. Liverpool's best chance of the half then came when a 50 yard pass from Agger found Kuyt in behind the Sparta defense and he crossed in to Ngog who could only hit it straight at Blazek again. The rebound came out towards Cole but he pulled out as the Sparta keeper was approaching. Lucas then watched his long range shot fly just past the post before the teams went in still level at half time.

Kuyt scored the wining goal against Sparta Prague.

The second half started with a change for the reds as Carragher replaced Kelly at right back who had arguably been Liverpool's best player of the first half. Liverpool didn't threaten as much in the second half but also didn't come under as many threats from Sparta. Ngog missed a few more chances and Meireles saw a free kick hit the wall but it was a corner that provided the breakthrough. Kuyt pulled away from the keeper and directed a great little header in to the goal while running the opposite way. The Dutchman had been tireless throughout yet again and was deserving of his goal which meant the Kenny Dalglish now has a 100% home record in Europe. Cole had a late chance to seal the game but when he was played through one on one he allowed the defender to catch up then had to rush his shot which went wide.

Liverpool's attention now switches back to Premier League where they travel to Upton Park to face West Ham on Sunday. There was a few worries for Liverpool today as Kyrgiakos had to have stitches and Agger limped off but there should be cover available if needed for the trip to West Ham. Gerrard watched from the stands today but he will be hopefully ready to play some part and Andy Carroll is an outside chance for a place on the bench.