Liverpool 1-0 Standard Liege (1-0agg.) Anfield | Champions League Qualifier, Second Leg
On his 100th appearance for the club, Dirk Kuyt did what he has so often done in Europe and claimed a crucial goal - probably the most important of his Anfield career - just as penalties loomed.
But it was goalkeeper Pepe Reina, the hero from the first leg having saved a penalty, who kept Liverpool in the tie and it seemed was about to be called upon to perform more spot kick heroics as he has done so often in the past.
But Ryan Babel’s cross found Kuyt at the back post just two minutes from time and Kuyt arrived to finish and put the Reds through to the all important Champions League group stages.
Liverpool scraped into the group stages of the Champions League courtesy of a 118th minute goal from Dirk Kuyt against a valiant Standard Liege.
Kuyt sidefooted home at the far post to end a tortuous night for the Reds.
They survived two early scares when keeper Pepe Reina produced superb saves in palming away strikes from Dieudonne Mbokani and Marouane Fellaini.
Liverpool were denied a penalty in extra-time when Oguchi Onyewu brought down Nabil El Zhar before Kuyt’s goal.
The result and timing of the goal was harsh on the Belgian champions, who had proved stubborn opponents for Liverpool.
The Reds had been fortunate to leave Liege with a goalless draw in the first leg and were expected to show an improvement on home territory.
But the visitors had other ideas as they were inspired rather than overwhelmed by the occasion and quickly caused the Anfield side problems.
Mbokani left fly from 22 yards and Reina, who saved a penalty in Belgium, had to smartly dive low to his right to turn the ball around his post.
The chance added to Liverpool’s nerves and, after Robbie Keane poorly shot over, Liege continued to increase the sense of anxiety around Anfield.
Igor De Camargo missed a cross with an attempted shot but recovered to put the ball back in for Fellaini, whose steered volley was palmed away by Reina.
And the surge of confidence sweeping through the visitors was signalled when Marcos Camozzato angled an ambitious 35-yard half-volley wide.
Liverpool’s lack of width was being exposed by the Belgian champions, who comfortably closed out the home side’s attempted attacks through the middle.
When the Reds did have a sight on goal from a corner, Kuyt headed a far post header disappointingly wide just before the interval.
Liege sat back after the break and held Liverpool at bay as they hoped to catch the Merseysiders out on the counter-attack.
The game became a more cagey affair as the Reds continued to struggle to find a way through their resolute opponents.
Liverpool were then left breathing a sigh of relief when De Camargo sent a diving header just wide before the end of 90 minutes.
In extra-time, Alvaro Arbeloa had an audacious long range half-volley saved by keeper Rorys Aragon before Onyewu survived giving away a spot-kick.
Kuyt then struck, as penalties loomed, for a goal on his 100th appearance for the club to put them into Thursday’s lucrative group stage draw.
And the surge of confidence sweeping through the visitors was signalled when Marcos Camozzato angled an ambitious 35-yard half-volley wide.
Liverpool’s lack of width was being exposed by the Belgian champions, who comfortably closed out the home side’s attempted attacks through the middle.
When the Reds did have a sight on goal from a corner, Kuyt headed a far post header disappointingly wide just before the interval.
Liege sat back after the break and held Liverpool at bay as they hoped to catch the Merseysiders out on the counter-attack.
The game became a more cagey affair as the Reds continued to struggle to find a way through their resolute opponents.
Liverpool were then left breathing a sigh of relief when De Camargo sent a diving header just wide before the end of 90 minutes.
In extra-time, Alvaro Arbeloa had an audacious long range half-volley saved by keeper Rorys Aragon before Onyewu survived giving away a spot-kick.
Kuyt then struck, as penalties loomed, for a goal on his 100th appearance for the club to put them into Thursday’s lucrative group stage draw.
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