A late Dirk Kuyt header booked Liverpool's place in the last 16 of the Europa League as the Reds overcame a stubborn Sparta Prague at Anfield.
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| Simply... Dirk Kuyt |
Kuyt guided in an 86th minute Raul Meireles corner as the home side finally converted one of their chances.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos had earlier been denied for Liverpool when keeper Jaromir Blazek clawed away his header.
Meireles blazed over and David Ngog had an effort saved for the Reds before Kuyt provided the finish needed.
Joe Cole raced clear and could have put the gloss on the victory as Sparta left spaces at the back in search of a leveller but the playmaker put his shot wide with just Blazek to beat.
Nevertheless, Liverpool prevailed to provide manager Kenny Dalglish with victory in his first European game in charge of the club at Anfield and set up a last 16 encounter against Portuguese outfit SC Braga. Dalglish was without Steven Gerrard for the win over Sparta Prague.
Dalglish, however, will feel his side's progress should have been confirmed much earlier at a sell-out Anfield.
Following an uneventful goalless first leg, both teams showed more ambition this time around and the increased sense of urgency, blended with some sloppy play, made for an entertaining spectacle.
More about → UEFA Europa League, Results and Tables
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