KUYT KNOCK-OUT RESCUES LIVERPOOL

Kuyt sneaks in at the far post to score.

Dirk Kuyt was the hero as Liverpool booked their place in the group stages of the Champions League after a 1-0 home win over Standard Liege.

Kuyt struck with two minutes remaining in extra-time after the visitors had produced a brilliant display to deny the Premier League giants, on the back of the goalless first leg draw in Belgium two weeks ago.

Liege side started superbly with Dieudonne Mbokani's 20-yard volley superbly pushed around the post by Pepe Reina while at the other end Fabio Aurelio's curling free-kick was parried by Rorys Espinoza.

Liege continued to push forward and striker Igor de Camargo missed his kick with the goal at his mercy before crossing for Marouane Fellaini to volley goalwards but Reina was again equal to it.

Kuyt headed a good chance wide for the Reds just before the break but it was a poor opening 45 minutes for Rafa Benitez's men against an impressive Liege side.

Liverpool tried to up their tempo after the break but the visitors remained steadfast and continued to look dangerous on the break.

Fernando Torres showed a flash of brilliance in the 61st minute when he skipped past a couple of challenges on the edge of the Liege box but his eventual shot was well blocked.

Xabi Alonso twice tested Espinoza from distance while Robbie Keane squandered a decent opportunity for his first goal for the club as the Reds pushed for the winner.

But at the other end De Camargo could have won it for Liege with a minute to go when he sent a free header wide and the game went to extra-time.

Alvaro Arbeloa's long-range thunderbolt was pushed out by Espinoza in the second period of extra-time but just went it looked as if penalties beckoned Ryan Babel's brilliant cross to the far post was met by the boot of Kuyt and Liverpool were through.