‘s 30-yard strike sent on their way to a 3-1 victory over Unirea Urziceni in their Europa League last-32 second leg tie.
David N’Gog’s late goal ensured Liverpool travelled to Romania with a 1-0 advantage after a turgid first leg at Anfield.
But Joao Bruno Fernandes’s opener gave Liverpool a scare as Unirea took the game to the visitors before Mascherano levelled.
And and secured a comfortable passage to the last-16 as Liverpool ran out 4-1 winners on aggregate.
Unirea, playing at Steaua Bucharest’s stadium as their 7,000 capacity ground does not meet UEFA standards, showed their attacking threat after 18 minutes when Marius Onofras latched on to a through ball before forcing a corner.
And that proved decisive as defender Fernandes, who had escaped the attention of Lucas, rose to power a crashing header past Reina.
Unirea played with conviction on the ball and certainly looked capable of upsetting their prestigious opponents, and it took a moment of genius for Liverpool to equalise on the half-hour.
The home side could only half-clear a Gerrard free-kick and Mascherano lashed home from 30 yards for only his second Liverpool goal in 122 appearances.
Unirea could gone ahead again seven minutes later when Razvan Paduretu’s strike from the edge of the box forced Reina into a fine fingertip save.
But Unirea’s inability to clear their ranks cost them again on 41 minutes as Babel expertly brought down a cross from the right and fired home.
The 2-1 half-time scoreline was harsh on a Unirea side who had shown enough endeavor to match Liverpool, in stark contrast to the first leg, and their heads visibly dropped.
Although Ronny Levy’s troops were still capable of creating chances after the break, with Iulian Apostol shooting wide from 8 yards from Onofras’s knockdown.
But Gerrard hammered the final nail in the coffin after 57 minutes when ‘s twisting run ended with a poked pass to the Liverpool skipper who hit the back of the net through a sea of legs.
Rafa Benitez rang the changes throughout the second half as Liverpool’s focus turned to their Premier League game with at the weekend.
But there was still time for Reina to pull off his second superb save of the night, keeping out Marius Bilasco’s side-footed volley from close range.
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Europa League – Liverpool stroll past Unirea
‘s 30-yard strike sent on their way to a 3-1 victory over Unirea Urziceni in their Europa League last-32 second leg tie.
David N’Gog’s late goal ensured Liverpool travelled to Romania with a 1-0 advantage after a turgid first leg at Anfield.
But Joao Bruno Fernandes’s opener gave Liverpool a scare as Unirea took the game to the visitors before Mascherano levelled.
And and secured a comfortable passage to the last-16 as Liverpool ran out 4-1 winners on aggregate.
Unirea, playing at Steaua Bucharest’s stadium as their 7,000 capacity ground does not meet UEFA standards, showed their attacking threat after 18 minutes when Marius Onofras latched on to a through ball before forcing a corner.
And that proved decisive as defender Fernandes, who had escaped the attention of Lucas, rose to power a crashing header past Reina.
Unirea played with conviction on the ball and certainly looked capable of upsetting their prestigious opponents, and it took a moment of genius for Liverpool to equalise on the half-hour.
The home side could only half-clear a Gerrard free-kick and Mascherano lashed home from 30 yards for only his second Liverpool goal in 122 appearances.
Unirea could gone ahead again seven minutes later when Razvan Paduretu’s strike from the edge of the box forced Reina into a fine fingertip save.
But Unirea’s inability to clear their ranks cost them again on 41 minutes as Babel expertly brought down a cross from the right and fired home.
The 2-1 half-time scoreline was harsh on a Unirea side who had shown enough endeavor to match Liverpool, in stark contrast to the first leg, and their heads visibly dropped.
Although Ronny Levy’s troops were still capable of creating chances after the break, with Iulian Apostol shooting wide from 8 yards from Onofras’s knockdown.
But Gerrard hammered the final nail in the coffin after 57 minutes when ‘s twisting run ended with a poked pass to the Liverpool skipper who hit the back of the net through a sea of legs.
Rafa Benitez rang the changes throughout the second half as Liverpool’s focus turned to their Premier League game with at the weekend.
But there was still time for Reina to pull off his second superb save of the night, keeping out Marius Bilasco’s side-footed volley from close range.
