Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt (C) applauds after defeating Standard Liege in their Champions League third qualifying round, second leg soccer match at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England, August 27, 2008. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis (BRITAIN)
LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) - Dirk Kuyt scored a dramatic extra-time goal to earn a relieved Liverpool a place in the Champions League group stage with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Standard Liege on Wednesday.
The Dutchman converted a Ryan Babel cross at the far post with three minutes left to end a nervous night at Anfield for a disjointed and uncreative Liverpool side.
Just as in the first leg of the third qualifying round tie that finished goalless, the 2005 winners needed goalkeeper Pepe Reina to keep them in the match.
He produced a superb save to deny Dieumerci Mbokani and was at full stretch again to stop Marouane Fellaini's volley in the opening half.
Liverpool created little and 20 million pound ($36.9 million) signing Robbie Keane was withdrawn after his partnership with Fernando Torres again failed to fire.
Standard had been the better side throughout and would have earned a shock win if Igor De Camargo had not headed wide in the last minute of normal time.
That let-off allowed Liverpool to secure a late win despite another poor performance that at times brought howls of derision from their fans.
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