Why Liverpool's turgid Europa League win doesn't bode well for Sunday's showdown with City

By Richard Buxton in Liverpool Fans Blog

Published 18:37 20/02/10

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Additional assistant referees, a tacky theme tune and mass pitchside advertisements for Seat cars heralded the return of second-rate European football to Anfield after a six-year absence.

The Cirque du Platini was in full flow as it attempted to dress mutton as lamb with a competition that has devalued drastically following its reincarnation from the UEFA Cup. Plans to make the tournament a less poor relation to its Champions League cousin backfired to the point of farce.

After spending several years in the swankiest club known to man, Liverpool supporters were forced to settle for a night in a downmarket pub as a near sell-out crowd watched them grind out a 1-0 win over Unirea Urziceni, but questions were raised about the performances by Rafael Benitez's side who struggled to break down the Romanian champions.

Ryan Babel, on as a second-half substitute for Albert Riera, was also probed for doing very little when in possession aside from an over-hit cross which Dani Pacheco nodded into the path of David Ngog to score the decisive solitary goal.

Pundits and the Dutchman's legion of devoted fans will cite his rare moments of true potential as justification for a regular role in the side but occasional flashes of brilliance cannot justify three years of inconsistency in addition to a £13 million price tag as the usual claims that the former Ajax star has 'turned the corner' came full circle once again.

Alberto Aquilani was another player who cost Liverpool an extravagant sum and he fared no better but on a night when the visitors had parked a bus in front of their goal, it was hardly surprising. The jury is still out on the Italian but the Kop can only delay their verdict for so long.

The home supporters chanted Pacheco's name following his introduction - highlighting their hopes for the Spanish starlet and they were not disappointed.

Despite only a handful of senior appearances, the decision to promote the 19-year-old to the first team following Andriy Voronin's departure was inspired and, in the eyes of some, should have happened sooner.

If three words summed up Thursday night's game, they would be turgid, lacklustre and mind-numbing but also may have provided the perfect backdrop for tomorrow's clash at the City of Manchester Stadium, for the hosts at least.

Such an unconvincing performance by Rafael Benitez's side will have been music to Roberto Mancini's ears and left him feeling a more confident about Manchester City's chances against the Reds despite the absence of Carlos Tevez and the reported suspension of Craig Bellamy.

Benitez has refused to place any emphasis on the repercussions of the result but the Italian's troops will fancy their chances against their nearest rivals for a fourth-place finish in the Barclays Premier League, and not many would bet against them as Liverpool's desperation to salvage a something from a highly disappointing campaign.

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