Rafa Benitez declared himself satisfied with Liverpool’s position following their 1-0 victory over Unirea Urziceni on Thursday night.
The Reds were frustrated by Unirea for long periods of their Europa League clash at Anfield and missed some good chances.
Liverpool had to stay patient and David Ngog eventually broke the deadlock with nine minutes remaining to secure a narrow advantage ahead of next week’s second leg.
Benitez admits the scoreline could have been more convincing but he was pleased not to concede an away goal and is confident of finishing the job in Romania.
„We started really well and I was really pleased for a while,” said the Spaniard.
„We cannot play at the same level that we played against Real Madrid every game, especially when the away team is defending well.
„You have to take your chances and if we had taken the first one in the first minute it could have been totally different but we had to be patient and keep on attacking.
Benitez believes Liverpool must look to be positive in the second leg and feels an away goal could prove decisive.
„I think we could have scored one or two more goals but that is football,” he said.
„The team was doing well in defence, 1-0 and a clean sheet is not bad.
„Sometimes when the other team is defending well you have to be patient and keep more of the ball and then we scored at the end.
„It is always important to score, especially in this competition, and not concede so we were waiting for this goal and were really please when we scored.
„It is not the best result but it is good. If we score one [in Romania] they have to score three so a clean sheet was important so we have to be relieved.
„If you ask me if I would prefer 2-0 then 100 per cent yes but you cannot change the score now.
Unirea boss Roni Levy believes the tie is far from over and paid tribute to his players for a spirited performance.
„I am disappointed in the result. Of course, Liverpool had the ball for most of the game but one moment we didn’t concentrate we conceded a goal,” he said.
„My players came and did the best they could do. This is the first half of two legs and I am looking forward to next week.
Liverpool and Everton are both improving and Paul Merson can’t separate them on derby day.
Ian Snodin told Sky Sports News that Everton needn’t fear going to Anfield on Saturday.
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Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Wolves in 2004. Can you name the mystery starting XI?
Rafa Benitez declared himself satisfied with Liverpool’s position after their 1-0 win over Unirea Urziceni.
Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool are in the box-seat despite struggling to a 1-0 win over Unirea Urziceni.
David Ngog saved Liverpool’s blushes as they claimed a 1-0 Europa League win over Unirea Urizceni.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez does not believe the Europa League can be viewed as a poor relation of the UEFA Champions League.
Liverpool begin their Europa League campaign against Unirea Urziceni at Anfield on Thursday.
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Rafa salutes patient Reds
Rafa Benitez declared himself satisfied with Liverpool’s position following their 1-0 victory over Unirea Urziceni on Thursday night.
The Reds were frustrated by Unirea for long periods of their Europa League clash at Anfield and missed some good chances.
Liverpool had to stay patient and David Ngog eventually broke the deadlock with nine minutes remaining to secure a narrow advantage ahead of next week’s second leg.
Benitez admits the scoreline could have been more convincing but he was pleased not to concede an away goal and is confident of finishing the job in Romania.
„We started really well and I was really pleased for a while,” said the Spaniard.
„We cannot play at the same level that we played against Real Madrid every game, especially when the away team is defending well.
„You have to take your chances and if we had taken the first one in the first minute it could have been totally different but we had to be patient and keep on attacking.
Benitez believes Liverpool must look to be positive in the second leg and feels an away goal could prove decisive.
„I think we could have scored one or two more goals but that is football,” he said.
„The team was doing well in defence, 1-0 and a clean sheet is not bad.
„Sometimes when the other team is defending well you have to be patient and keep more of the ball and then we scored at the end.
„It is always important to score, especially in this competition, and not concede so we were waiting for this goal and were really please when we scored.
„It is not the best result but it is good. If we score one [in Romania] they have to score three so a clean sheet was important so we have to be relieved.
„If you ask me if I would prefer 2-0 then 100 per cent yes but you cannot change the score now.
Unirea boss Roni Levy believes the tie is far from over and paid tribute to his players for a spirited performance.
„I am disappointed in the result. Of course, Liverpool had the ball for most of the game but one moment we didn’t concentrate we conceded a goal,” he said.
„My players came and did the best they could do. This is the first half of two legs and I am looking forward to next week.
Liverpool and Everton are both improving and Paul Merson can’t separate them on derby day.
Ian Snodin told Sky Sports News that Everton needn’t fear going to Anfield on Saturday.
Wayne Rooney’s got a century… but how does he compare to his former team-mate? Martin Tyler knows!
Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Wolves in 2004. Can you name the mystery starting XI?
Rafa Benitez declared himself satisfied with Liverpool’s position after their 1-0 win over Unirea Urziceni.
Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool are in the box-seat despite struggling to a 1-0 win over Unirea Urziceni.
David Ngog saved Liverpool’s blushes as they claimed a 1-0 Europa League win over Unirea Urizceni.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez does not believe the Europa League can be viewed as a poor relation of the UEFA Champions League.
Liverpool begin their Europa League campaign against Unirea Urziceni at Anfield on Thursday.
