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Live Commentary: Liverpool 3-1 Zenit St Petersburg - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live text coverage of the Europa League round-of-32 clash between Liverpool and Zenit St Petersburg.
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Liverpool hosted Zenit St. Petersburg for the second leg of the Europa League round-of-32 tie trailing 2-0 from the previous meeting between the two sides.

The Reds looked dead and buried when Hulk capitalised on an error by Jamie Carragher to bag a vital away goal for the visitors, but strikes from Luis Suarez and Joe Allen gave Liverpool a fighting chance at half time.

Suarez struck again in the second period to set up a frantic finish, but a fourth goal proved too much for Brendan Rodgers's side.

Find out how all the action unfolded with our minute-by-minute text commentary below.


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Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the Europa League round-of-32 second-leg clash between Liverpool and Zenit. There's just under an hour to go until kickoff, but we have team news and build-up to serve up before then.

The teams are in, so that seems like as good a place as any to start...

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Carragher; Lucas, Allen, Gerrard, Henderson, Downing; Suarez
Subs: Gulacsi, Coates, Wisdom, Shelvey, Assaidi, Suso, Sterling

ZENIT: Malafeev; Anyukov, Lombaerts, Neto, Hubocan; Shirokov, Semak, Denisov, Witsel, Danny; Hulk
Subs: Zhevnov, Alves, Criscito, Rodic, Fayzulin, Bukharov, Kerzhakov

Brendan Rodgers has made two changes from the side that thrashed Swansea City at the weekend, bringing in Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson for the cup-tied duo Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.

The Reds will certainly miss that in-form pair tonight. Both players scored during the thumping of Swansea and Sturridge has formed a devastating partnership with Luis Suarez up front. In fact, he's exactly what they need to overturn their 2-0 deficit.

Liverpool certainly have a job on their hands this evening, but we've seen some memorable European nights at Anfield in the past. It will likely come to who draws first blood tonight. An away goal for Zenit would surely kill off the tie, but if Liverpool land the first blow it's game on.

Expect Nicolas Lombaerts and Neto to have a busy night at the back for Zenit as Liverpool attempt to claw their way back into this. The ever-impressive Hulk is the one they need to watch up front. He got his name on the scoresheet during the win in Russia.

The Europa League is Liverpool's only hope of securing silverware this season. As I'm sure you'll already know, they are out of both domestic cups and even Champions League qualification looks like a big ask.

Some pre-match quotes coming up...

Brendan Rodgers: "The history of the club is based on great European nights. Of course we would rather have the game in a better situation but it should be really exciting for us. The crowd will have a big part to play - we've seen over the years that the crowd have basically won games here. We'll need them more than any other time so far. This is a ground that is renowned worldwide. One of the first things I did before I went for my press conference to be announced as manager was have a walk around the ground to take it all in. It's a special place, a cathedral."

So the Reds boss believes that the home support can be his team's 12th man tonight, and they're going to need it against tough opposition. Can the Anfield faithful inspired three goals, though?

Steven Gerrard: "The stage is set. We're 2-0 down. The fans are going to be right up for it. It's going to be a great night, hopefully. The opportunity is there for anyone to go and make a name for themselves. These are the games that the fans remember for many, many years. If you turn results like this one around and people score important goals, those moments will be remembered forever."

The Liverpool captain sounds confident, and why shouldn't he, fresh off the back of a 5-0 victory? I personally believe that Liverpool can force extra time tonight. Zenit will be well organised, but the likes of Suarez are more than capable of doing some damage.

Russian teams are going well in this competition, playing like that have a point to prove. Earlier today, Rubin Kazan progressed to the last-16 with a 2-1 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid. You can read our report on the second leg here.

There's two English clubs in action right now. Newcastle United are leading Ukranian outfit Metalist Kharkiv 1-0 with less than 10 minutes left on the clock. You can follow that one live here.

It's not looking quite so positive for Tottenham Hotspur. They are losing to Lyon away from home, with the French club ahead on the away goals rule. You can follow that match here.

One talking point this evening is the 150th European appearance for Jamie Carragher. Liverpool will be relying on his experience tonight, as well as the goal threat posed by Suarez and Gerrard.

UPDATE: Spurs have equalised against Lyon. It's 1-1 now and the North Londoners lead 3-2 on aggregate! Follow the closing stages here.

The stats are against Liverpool tonight. Only once in the past have they overturned a two-goal deficit in Europe, and that was against Auxerre, but I think they can buck that trend tonight.

To elaborate on my prediction from earlier, I think the Reds can force extra time here tonight with a goal in each half. However, my money is on Zenit if it goes to a penalty shootout.

Less than 10 minutes to go until kick off now. The banners are flying around Anfield, 'You'll Never Walk Alone' is ringing around the stadium and the home support is in good voice. The crowd is going to make it tough for Zenit tonight!

Chelsea are also in Europa League action tonight. You can follow the second leg of their last-32 clash with Sparta Prague here. The Blues are the odds-on favourites to progress there, holding a one-goal lead from the first leg.

So to confirm, Newcastle and Spurs have progressed to the last 16. Liverpool need three goals to join them, and we're about to find out whether that is a bridge too far.

We are underway here at Anfield. Liverpool win a throw inside their own half direct from kickoff. They will attack the Kop in the second period.

Jamie Carragher gives away a free kick in the centre of the park. Zenit play the ball forward and Semak has a shot from range, dragging his effort wide to the left of goal. A searching ball almost falls kindly for Suarez at the other end moments later.

The winner of this tie will play FC Basel of Switzerland, who knocked out Dnipro of Russia to book their place in the last 16.

Liverpool play some good passing football, keeping possession in the Zenit half, but a chance goes begging as Henderson mis-kicks and puts the ball out for a throw.

Jose Enrique plays in a long ball to Suarez in the box but Luis Neto makes the interception and clears. The home fans appeal for a pen, believing the ball rebounded off the Zenit player's arm, but I don't think that was the case.

Good pressure from Liverpool as Downing bursts down the right flank and plays in a cross. Suarez is waiting to pounce in the area but the Zenit defence clear the danger. Gerrard shoots over directly from a free kick moments later.

Suarez wins a free kick wide on the right after being pushed by Hubocan. Gerrard over-hits the set piece, but Agger gets a boot to and and keeps it in, though the attack soon breaks down.

Play is stopped as Downing is caught a mile offside. Zenit venture into the Liverpool half but the Reds win the ball back and look for Suarez in the box again. Hubocan gets his body in the way and prevents the striker from getting in on goal.

Johnson makes a good run forward and does well to keep the ball in at the byline, but ultimately puts it out for a Zenit throw-in.

Gerrard uses his strength to his advantage and win the ball over on the right, playing in a cross towards Downing but Malafeev between the Zenit sticks makes the catch.

GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Zenit (Hulk)

Oh dear, a catastrophic mistake from Jamie Carragher on his 150th European appearance allows Hulk in on goal, and he slots the ball past Reina in a one-on-one situation to make it 3-0 on aggregate. Liverpool need four now!

UPDATE: Sparta Prague have taken a shock lead away to Chelsea to make it 1-1 on aggregate. It isn't going too well for the English clubs in action this evening.

You have to feel for Carragher. This will likely be his final European match before he calls time on a glistening career. You couldn't fault Liverpool's performance right up to that point.

Danny tries to play a through ball to Hulk, but his pass is intercepted and Liverpool go straight on the attack, winning a free kick on the edge of their opponents' area. Suarez steps up to take it...

GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Zenit (Suarez)

The Uruguayan thumps one into the bottom corner, straight through an almost non-existent Zenit wall. Horrible defending from the Russians, but a top-drawer strike from the Liverpool man.

CHANCE! Liverpool threaten from another free kick, this one swung in by Gerrard from over on the left. Aniukov heads it behind for a corner, which Gerrard takes but a white shirt hacks it clear.

Reina mis-kicks a backpass at the other end but quickly recovers. Hulk has a pop at goal moments later and wins a corner due to a deflection, but it comes to nothing.

Suarez bears down on goal but is closed down by the Zenit defence. He tries to play the ball to his left but there is nobody there to collect the pass. Hulk finds Danny with a great first-time pass at the other end, but the latter's half-volley bounces wide.

Aniukov makes a good run forward and has a crack when he realises there are no white shirts in the box, his effort striking the side netting and failing to trouble Reina.

Joe Allen and Luis Suarez play a neat one-two, but Hubocan does well to win the ball from the Uruguayan and even manages to avoid conceding the corner as he hacks it clear.

Jose Enrique and Allen exchange passes, only for Luis Neto to out-muscle the Welshman and clear the danger. That seems to happen to Allen all too often I think.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Zenit (Allen)

I suppose I should take back that criticism of Allen. Jose Enrique makes a run along the left flank and plays in a great cross for the Welshman to get his head to. Malafeev kept out the initial effort, but Allen poked home at the second opportunity. Game on!

Two more goals aren't looking out of the question for Liverpool. They have played at a great tempo and are seeing much more of the ball than their opponents. They were very unfortunate to fall behind thanks to that Carragher howler.

HALF-TIME: Liverpool 2-1 Zenit

Liverpool looked dead and buried when Hulk bagged that away goal for Zenit but strikes from Suarez and Allen have put them right back in this. We are all set for a compelling second half, with the Reds shooting towards the Kop.

If you've just joined us, you can read a summary of the first 45 minutes here.

And to bring you an update from tonight's other Europa League clash involving an English club, Chelsea are training Sparta Prague by one goal to nil at half time, making it 1-1 with all to play for on aggregate. You can follow that one live here.

Liverpool needed at least two goals to stay in the competition ahead of this game, now two goals will put them through providing they don't concede any more. That might sound like a big ask, but judging by their dominant performance in the first half, it's far from mission impossible.

Liverpool get the match back underway. Two changes for Zenit at half time: Faitzulin on for Danny and Criscito on for the injured Lombaerts.

Liverpool go straight on the attack. Gerrard finds Downing in the danger zone but Criscito wins the ball and clears the danger. Expect this to be the first of many Liverpool attacks in this second half.

Johnson goes on another one of his runs on the right, calling for an inch-perfect sliding tackle from Criscito to quell the threat. Jose Enrique's cross from the left is headed away by Hubocan moments later.

SAVE! Liverpool appeal for a penalty as Hubocan appears to handle in the box. Suarez picks up possession as the ref waves away the protests and forces Malafeev into a save at his near post.

Hulk shows the kind of strength usually associated with his comic book namesake to shrug off two challenges and come away with the ball. The attack ultimately comes to nothing as the Liverpool defence regroups.

Downing's pass is an inch away from finding Suarez in space inside the area, but Luis Neto thinks on his feet and makes a vital interception.

Reina beats Hulk to a stray pass at the Liverpool end before Suarez is denied a goalscoring opportunity by Hubocan, who gets in a good, clean tackle on the striker.

GOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Zenit (Suarez)

Wow! Suarez extends Liverpool's lead on the night with a truly world-class free kick from some 30 yards out. The Uruguayan curled one beyond Malafeev into the top-right corner. Pick that one out!

Liverpool have half-an-hour to finish the job now, and I'm certainly not betting against them. The Reds have put in a great performance tonight and thoroughly deserve to make the last 16.

I should point out, Liverpool made a double substitution moments after Suarez rifled into that second free kick. Assaidi and Shelvey are on for Allen and Henderson.

Zenit haven't had so much as a sniff at goal in this second half. Will they let the tie slip away from them? They looked home and dry when Hulk gave them them the lead.

Shelvey is booked for a reckless tackle on Hulk. The Brazilian steps up to take it himself and has a go from long range, but it goes narrowly wide. I think Reina would have had that covered in any case.

Liverpool have another free kick right on the edge of the Zenit area, and Suarez is taking a run-up...

SAVE! Suarez hits a low, curling effort towards goal that an out-stretching Malafeev palms away at his far post.

SAVE! Malafeev punches a cross clear, but only as far as Gerrard on the edge of the area, who attempts an acrobatic volley and forces a brilliant stop from Malafeev. He's just kept his side in the tie!

CHANCE! An Agger error lets Denisov in, who finds Hulk. The Brazilian hits it first time and forces an excellent reaction save from Reina. It's end-to-end stuff now!

SHOT! The Zenit defence fails to deal with a cross and Shelvey is first to the loose ball. His shoots first time, but his vicious effort flies into the side netting. Unlucky!

Gerrard grapples with Luis Neto in the box. The Liverpool man got there first and goes tumbling. There was no foul but Gerrard wins a corner for his efforts.

Desperate defending from Zenit. Luis Neto and Anyukov look close to breaking point as Assaidi and Suarez put them under pressure. The latter eventually smuggles the ball away from the danger zone.

Fayzulin wins Zenit a free kick 30 yards out, which Hulk steps up to take and blazes it over the bar. Gerrard swings in a cross at the other end, which Malafeev punches clear in a less-than-confident fashion.

Seven minutes left on the clock and you could cut the atmosphere at Anfield with a knife. All great comebacks involve a last-minute goal, so the stage is set!

Both sides are making a change: Semak makes way for Rodic for Zenit and Sterling has come on for Downing from Liverpool. Could the youngster be the one to net the crucial goal? What a story that would be!

Hulk uses his strength in the final third and plays the ball to Rodic to his left. He tries to play a one-two with the Brazilian but his pass ends up in no-man's land and Liverpool regroup.

Suarez grapples with Hubocan in the Zenit area and accidentally floors the defender, then tramples on him while he's on the ground. I'm not sure if that was intentional, but it looked painful.

There will be three minutes of time added on. Liverpool need to throw the kitchen sink at Zenit now!

Liverpool have a late corner and Reina has come forward for it. A white shirt heads the ball clear and Hulk attempts to race towards the empty Liverpool goal, only to be dispossessed by Jose Enrique.

FULL-TIME: Liverpool 3-1 Zenit

Liverpool put in a spirited performance tonight but that fourth goal proved to be a bridge too far. Hulk's away goal is the decider and it's Zenit who progress to the last-16 of the Europa League.

Zenit edge through on the away goals rule with the tie finishing 3-3 on aggregate. You can read our full match report here. And to update you on the action from elsewhere, Chelsea grabbed a 92nd-minute goal through Eden Hazard to make it 1-1 on the night and 2-1 to the Blues on aggregate.

That's all from me this evening, but stick with us for post-match reaction, analysis and more. Many thanks for reading!

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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers before his sides match against Manchester United on January 13, 2013
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