Liverpool, Spurs secure last 32 berths in Europa League

PARIS — Liverpool and Tottenham progressed to the Europa League knockout phase after the closing batch of group games on Thursday to join fellow Premier League sides Newcastle and Champions League cast-offs Chelsea.

Liverpool made the last 32 on the strength of a 1-0 win at Udinese while Spurs ensured their Europa League adventure continued with a 3-1 defeat of Panathinaikos.

The three remaining knockout stage tickets on the table were claimed by Steaua Bucharest and Vfb Stuttgart from Group E, and Basel from Group G.

Jordan Henderson scored the decisive goal to fire five- time European champions Liverpool into the next round.

Brendan Rodgers' side ended up topping Group A, ahead of already qualified Anzhi Makhachkala, beaten 3-1 by Young Boys - with this trio all finishing on 10 points.

Liverpool turned up in Italy with their destiny in their own hands - knowing a win would be sufficient irrespective of the outcome of the other tie between Anzhi and Young Boys.

They began boldly and got the decisive goal in the 23rd minute.

Stewart Downing's corner from the left was headed on by Luis Suarez to Suso who in turn laid it back to Henderson who drilled a low ball through the Udinese defense and the legs of their keeper Daniele Padelli.

With Young Boys having taken the lead over Russian big-spenders Anzhi in Switzerland Liverpool endured a nervy second half, aware that if they conceded they would be eliminated.

Udinese eased Liverpool's task when they went down to 10 men following a second booking for Giovanni Pasquale and the Anfield side held on.

“I thought we were fantastic tonight,” said Rodgers.

“We were in a difficult group with good teams - teams with good Champions League experience and one of the richest teams (Anzhi) in the world.

“But the mentality of the team was very strong and our desire and belief was very strong. We won and that is good for our future.”