Unirea Urziceni 1-3 Liverpool (aggregate 1-4)
Steven Gerrard scored his 33rd goal in European competition last night - a record for an Englishman
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By Darren Plant. |  |
Thursday, 25, Feb 2010 11:25
By Matt Hallam.
Liverpool secured their place in the last 16 of the Europa League with a comfortable second-leg victory over Unirea Urziceni in Bucharest.
The Romanian side started the stronger and took a deserved lead on the night when Bruno Fernandes took advantage of some poor Liverpool defending to head a corner past Pepe Reina.
The goal put the scores level on aggregate but Liverpool soon regained their advantage thanks an unstoppable 25-yard strike from Javier Mascherano before Ryan Babel scored from close range after Unirea had failed to clear a free-kick.
Steven Gerrard then secured the victory in the second-half with Liverpool's third goal, sending them through to the next round where they will face either Lille or Fenebache.
Both teams created early chances with Unirea's Sorin Frunza sending a dipping shot onto the roof of the net before Lucas fed a pass to Gerrard who struck a low shot that was saved by Giedrius Arlauskis.
It was the home side that took the lead after 20 minutes though when Fernandes rose unmarked to send a thumping header past Reina from a corner and level the scores on aggregate.
Liverpool looked to be struggling to gain any momentum in the match. However a stunning strike from Mascherano on the half hour gave them a vital away goal and put them back into an aggregate lead, with the Argentine captain drilling a shot into the top corner from 25 yards.
Unirea continued to cause Liverpool problems from corners, but Babel put clear daylight between the two sides before half-time when he tapped the ball in from close range after the Romanian side had failed to clear a Gerrard free-kick.
Gerrard then put Liverpool into a commanding lead after half time when he was teed up by Benayoun and drilled a low shot past the goalkeeper.
With the aggregate score at 4-1, Unirea desperately looked to reduce the deficit. However, Liverpool looked increasingly comfortable as the final whistle approach, allowing Rafael Benitez to give Jamie Carragher a rest.
The Romanian's best chance came with three minutes remaining however Reina saved Marius Bilasco's close range effort, ensuring a comfortable end to the game for Liverpool.