By Chris Bevan
**David Ngog’s 81st-minute winner spared Liverpool’s blushes as they began their Europa League campaign in disappointing fashion against Unirea Urzinceni.**The Romanian side’s defensive approach looked like earning them a draw in the first leg of their last-32 clash.
Liverpool dominated possession but were unable to break down the visitors and created few clear-cut chances.
But, with time running out, Daniel Pacheco knocked down Ryan Babel’s cross and Ngog headed in from close range.
Steven Gerrard went close to adding a second goal seconds later with a rasping shot that flew inches wide, but a second goal would have put an undeserved gloss on what became a difficult night for Rafael Benitez’s side.
Liverpool’s early exit from the Champions League had left them in Europe’s second-tier competition for the first time since 2004 but Benitez backed up his promise to take the tournament seriously by fielding a strong line-up.
The Europa League is the Reds’ last realistic chance of winning any silverware this season and their fans turned out in force too, with more than 40,000 at Anfield.
Sadly, they were not treated to much of a spectacle, mainly due to the ultra-defensive tactics employed by Unirea that stifled the hosts for most of the match.
More follows.