Hodgson lauds players as Reds’ Euro march goes on

LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson praised his players after they secured their passage to the last 32 of the Europa League as Group K winners — with a match to go — thanks to a 1-1 draw against Steaua Bucharest last night.

Hodgson left eight first-team players at home — either injured or rested — but his weakened side did enough to secure a draw even after Milan Jovanovic’s first-half header was cancelled out after goalkeeper Jose Reina allowed Eder Bonfim’s effort to squirm from his grasp.

A 3-3 draw between Utrecht and Napoli meant Liverpool cannot be caught at the top of the group with a match to spare.