Liverpool FC v Sparta Prague result - Liverpool 1-0 Sparta (agg 1-0)

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by Crunch Sports Staff

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Joe Cole impressed in his first start under Kenny Dalglish (credit: Wikipedia)

Liverpool booked their place in the last 16 of the Europa League as a late Dirk Kuyt goal gave the Reds a 1-0 aggregate win over Sparta Prague on Thursday night

Liverpool made a bright start to the game, having a first minute penalty appeal turned down and seeing Joe Cole's cross hit the crossbar in the fourth minute.

But the Reds looked a little shaky at the back early on as Sparta Prague gave them an early reminder that they were looking to win the tie and within the opening 13 minutes had created two good chances.

It was Joe Cole's first start since Kenny Dalglish took charge last month and although he was looking lively, Liverpool's positive start slowly faded away and the first half became a clumsy, scrappy affair in parts as the first half ended goalless.

Jamie Carragher came on at half-time for Martin Kelly, who had impressed in the first half but had taken a knock.

The Reds looked to push forward early on but was paying the price for a lack of quality in attack, with David Ngog doing little to suggest he could find a place in the side when Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll were available.

The home side worked hard throughout but as the game entered the final 20 minutes had failed to find the net and were lacking the quality that the likes of Suarez and skipper Steven Gerrard would usually provide.

Meireles and Dirk Kuyt alongside Cole in midfield were looking the most likely to create something as the home fans tried to spur their side on, with Kuyt seeing his shot from ten yards out comfortably saved after 79 minutes.

The Premier League side continued to push forward and were finally rewarded for their hard work after 85 minutes when Dirk Kuyt headed home from Meireles' corner.

Liverpool refused to sit back on their lead in the closing minutes of the game and although Ngog had a penalty appeal turn down - and then managed to take a real goalscoring opportunity away from Cole, who himself missed a glorious chance in injury-time - Dalglish's side held on to progress to the next round.

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