Liverpool get the job done in Bucharest

Steaua Bucharest 1 Liverpool 1. Liverpool are in the last 32 of the Europa League after drawing with Steaua Bucharest in Romania. It wasn't a performance from the Reds that will linger long in the memory, but with manager Roy Hodgson fielding a second-string side it was enough to get the job done.

"It's a good achievement considering we have gone through this Europa League campaign giving many players a chance to play who don't normally play in the Premier League," said Hodgson, who left out eight of his first-choice team either through injury or rest. "I'm very happy that the team had the confidence to take on this tough task of playing Steaua away and were able to produce the performance and get the result we needed."

The visitors took the lead on 19 minutes when Milan Jovanovic headed Ryan Babel's cross past Steaua keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu into the bottom of the net. Joe Cole should have extended Liverpool's later in the half when he was put into space by Babel's neat pass, but the out-of-form midfielder couldn't bring the ball under control in time to get in a shot.

Steaua had a couple of chances themselves to level but Bogdan Stancu shot wide with the goal at his mercy and centre-back Geraldo Alves sent his free header straight into the arms of Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal. The Romanians did eventually equalise on the hour mark when Eder Bonfim's gentle header somehow squirted through the legs of Reina as he stooped to make the save. Afterwards the Spaniard was full of contrition for his howler, saying: "I thought one of their players was offside but I've watched replays and it's my fault. It's my mistake and I have to handle that and get through it. He was definitely obstructing me, but I should have reacted much better than I did."

With Napoli and Utrecht sharing the spoils in the other game in pool K, the point earned in Bucharest means Liverpool have won the group with a game to spare and can relax when Utrecht come to Anfield in a fortnight's time. "Results like this give massive confidence to the younger players, and that can help them as they look to establish themselves," said Hodgson, adding: "We have seen the emergence of people like David Ngog and Martin Kelly, and it has come through these Europa League games where they have been given a chance - and they've taken it." ·