Reina boo-boo blunder ...but Reds still qualify for round of 32

BUCHAREST: Liverpool reached the last 32 of the Europa League when they drew 1-1 with Steaua Bucharest in a Group K tie in Romania this morning — despite goalkeeper Pepe Reina's blunder.

Midfielder Milan Jovanovic's goal in the 19th minute via a header was cancelled out when Reina allowed Eder Bonfim's effort to escape his grasp and creep over the line.

A point would have been enough to put Roy Hodgson's side through but Utrecht's 3-3 draw with Napoli ensured they could not be caught at the top of the table with a match still to play.

Hodgson put his faith in fringe players and reserves having travelled to Romania without eight first-team players and he was rewarded by the likes of Jovanovic and Ryan Babel.

Neither has made much of an impression to date in their Anfield careers, although Jovanovic admittedly has only had a little more than four months to settle in.

However, they produced decent performances this morning to assist the visitors.

Meanwhile, Reina accepted responsibility for Steaua's equaliser but remains happy with his side's qualification.

"I thought one of their players was offside for the goal but I've watched replays and it's my fault. It's my mistake and I have to handle that and get through," Reina told ESPN.

"He was definitely obstructing me, but I should have reacted much better than I did. I will handle the mistake and improve."

Reina praised the younger players — including the likes of Martin Kelly, Danny Wilson, Dani Pacheco and Jonjo Shelvey — for earning the point.

"We have to give them some credit because we made a great effort.

"We have players out there with not much experience and they showed great character and helped us get the point we needed," said Reina, who was the captain this morning.

Liverpool striker Torres out of Steaua clash

LIVERPOOL: Striker Fernando Torres (pic) will take a break in Liverpool's Europa League clash against Steaua Bucharest on Friday (2am) after manager Roy Hodgson revealed he would not be travelling with the squad.

Hodgson also made it known Scottish youngster Danny Wilson will replace injured defender Jamie Carragher for the trip to Romania.

Torres is being rested in view of Liverpool's clash against Aston Villa in the Premier League this weekend.

Wilson, on the other hand, gets the chance to impress after Carragher was ruled out for three months following surgery on his shoulder.

Wilson will make only his second appearance since joining from Rangers and he will partner Sotirios Kyrgiakos at the back and they are likely to be joined in defence by Fabio Aurelio and Martin Kelly.

"Martin Kelly and Wilson will start against Steaua and it's a great opportunity for them to stake a claim to be in the first team," Hodgson told Liverpool's website.

"Not being able to take the points against Tottenham in the league has kept us in a mid-table position so the next games coming up are going to be very important.

"I've got to be careful not to risk too many of the players I want out on the field against Villa.

"Torres won't travel. I can leave maybe as many as six or seven players who I expect to start against Villa out of the team.

"It means on paper, I'm taking a weakened team, but I believe people like Joe Cole, Ryan Babel, Milan Jovanovic, Wilson, Christian Poulsen and Jonjo Shelvey are more than capable of doing a good job for Liverpool."