27.11.03: UEFA Cup Rnd 2 Lg 2
Liverpool 1 Steaua Bucharest 0 (BBC)

Liverpool stuttered into the Uefa Cup third round after overcoming stiff resistance from Romanian side Steaua Bucharest.

Harry Kewell's header gave Liverpool a narrow win against a Steaua team that fluffed a number of chances and had a reasonable penalty claim turned down just before the Australian's goal.

Liverpool never really got into their stride, the honourable exception being Steven Gerrard, who turned in a powering performance.

Whether tracking back, tackling, crossing or shooting, Gerrard's immense drive was the difference between the two teams and it was fitting he provided the cross for Kewell's goal.

Yet Gerrard also demonstrated that reckless streak in his decision-making, which in the past has blighted his development.

Early in the game his dangerous challenge on Matei Radoi infuriated Steaua - even if German referee Florian Meyer awarded the free kick to Liverpool - typified the Liverpool captain's impetuosity.

Impervious to the Romanians' complaints, Gerrard whipped in the free kick only for Owen's header to go narrowly over the bar.

Gerrard also powered a header goalward from Harry Kewell's cross, but his effort was straight at Steaua goalkeeper Vasili Hamutovski.

The Liverpool midfielder then demonstrated his shooting ability, his low shot going narrowly wide, before he crossed for Florent Sinama-Pongolle, who was beaten to the ball by Hamutovski.

Steaua were having real problems getting to grips with Gerrard forages forward from midfield and Dorel Mutica was yellow carded after he hauled down the Liverpool captain.

Liverpool might have dominated possession, but Steaua also had their chances in a game that always held the attention.

Early on Claudiu Raducanu lobbed the ball just over the bar, Marian Aliuta went close with a shot, while Gabriel Bostina should have done better with a header.

Soon after the restart Steaua were again incensed by one of Meyer's decisions, when he turned down Raducanu's penalty appeal after a challenge by Igor Biscan.

Almost immediately Liverpool broke upfield and Gerrard hung up a cross from the right that Kewell headed home at the far post.

Kewell's goal prompted a sustained period of Liverpool pressure and both Michael Owen and substitute Emile Heskey went close.

The goal served to douse Steaua's enthusiasm, though late on Dinita went close flashing a shot narrowly wide.



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Liverpool: Kirkland, Diao, Biscan, Hyypia, Traore, Diouf, Hamann, Gerrard, Kewell, Owen, Sinama Pongolle.
Subs: Dudek, Heskey, Smicer, Murphy, Riise, Le Tallec, Otsemobor.

Steaua Bucurest: Hamutovski, Radoi, Rachita, Mutica, Stoica, Dumitru, Falemi, Aliuta, Bostina, Raducanu, Oprita.
Subs: Tudor, Curt, Paraschiv, Pitu, Neaga, Ogararu, Dinita.

Referee: Florian Meyer (Germany).







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