One year on from the heady win at Real Madrid, Liverpool have to console themselves with a good win in the Europa League

By Rob Burnett in Liverpool Fans Blog

Published 15:52 26/02/10

• 

Life has not been easy for Liverpool over the past 12 months.

One long year on from a heady and historic night in the Bernabeu stadium, which was followed by an exciting title race, Rafael Benitez's side found themselves consoling themselves after dropping into Europe's second-rate competition with a convincing win over Unirea Urziceni.

Real Madrid they were not but the Romanians provided a stern test on a pitch that resembled Super League more than it did the Europa League. The playing surface at Steaua Stadium made the victory all the more rewarding.

The home supporters warned 'Petrolul Ploiesti' - a reference to the side who inflicted a 3-1 defeat on Bill Shankly's troops at the same ground in the 1966 European Cup. But there was no such fears as the Anfield outfit swept aside the minnows.

It wasn't the most pretty of games but record books don't place particular emphasis on who were the better side. If they did then Everton would have been able to claim that honour following the Merseyside derby earlier this month.

Steven Gerrard gave a very good account of himself as he became the leading British scorer in European competitions with Liverpool's third goal. The skipper has been known to go AWOL in games but last night's performance proves that he still possess the ability to inspire his side to victory.

Another player who has been frequently absent when presented with opportunities is Ryan Babel, who netted the Reds' second. As positive as his performances were over the two legs, a sub-standard showing in the dour stalemate with Manchester City last Sunday hinted that this may be a possible false dawn.

However you cannot fault his change in attitude as, so far, he appears to be a more confident without being the arrogant rapping and Twitter-ranting persona that he has portrayed in recent months. It appears he is not beyond redemption just yet but only time will tell.

Looking ahead to the visit of Blackburn to Anfield on Sunday and El-Hadji Diouf has claimed that inflicting a defeat on his former club was "not difficult" and that he is unfazed by the hostile reception he will receive as he needs "to show to the people I am a man".

The Senegal international's comments are rich coming from a player who, allegedly, has been very loose with his salivary glands, and the shining beacon of why Gérard Houllier's twilight years as Liverpool manager were his undoing.

That said, his aggressive and brutal style is very befitting of Sam Allardyce's Rovers team who are looking to avoid a second consecutive season of finishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Fancy winning £3,000 for FREE this month? Play Mirror Football Streak for your chance to win cash prizes! Start predicting now!