A Dirk Kuyt goal late in extra time was all that saved Liverpool from crashing out of the Champions League in the qualifying stages for the first time in five years.

The Reds beat Belgian side Standard Liege 1-0 at Anfield on Wednesday night after squandering chance upon chance over the two goal-less legs of the qualifying round. Kuyt broke the deadlock two minutes before penalties would have decided who advanced to the group stages.

Liverpool started off slowly and almost went a goal down after seven minutes. Jose Reina was all that stood between Dieudonne Mbokani getting his name on the score sheet and giving the Belgian side a valuable away goal.

The Reds fans had to endure more scares as Reina saved tow shots in a matter of seconds after some appaling defending from his men. The Anfield fans vocalised their annoyance with some ear-piercing whistles. The Belgians got another close shot off minutes later and Reina was apoplectic with rage.

Steven Gerrard sensed the urgency and tried to get his lads back on the other side of the pitch. He took a shot at goal after half an hour, which was cleared, and Espinoza was again called into action in the scramble. He and Reina were the stars of the match, despite frenetic action in mid-pitch.

After the break Standard continued their good work, but the Reds looked more threatening. Striker Fernando Torres had a great chance to score after 62 minutes but lingered too long in the area and was dispossessed, which epitomised their evening till that point.

Liverpool saw a golden opportunity go abegging in the 74th minute when new signing Robbie Keane, normally so assured in front of goal, miss-kicked his shot in the middle of the area with an open goal.

The match went into extra time and the tensions reached boiling point when Reds manager Rafa Benitez and his opposite number Laszlo Boloni nearly came to blows on the sidelines. The first 15 minutes were goal-less as both sides showed fatigue after a hectic match.

The Reds were unlucky to be denied a penalty late into additional time, when Oguchi Onyewu blatantly tripped Nabil El Zhar in the area. It wasn't given though and the prospect penalties loomed. Kuyt then saved the day for the home fans, nudging Ryan Babel's cross past Espinoza from a few yards out.

LIVERPOOL: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Gerrard, Alonso, Benayoun, Keane, Torres

Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Agger, Babel, Spearing, Plessis, El Zhar

STANDARD LIEGE: Aragon, Camozzato, Onyewu, Sarr, Dante, Dalmat, Fellaini, Defour, Witsel, De Camargo, Mbokani

Subs: Devriendt, Goreux, Toama, Mikulic, Jovanovic, Nicaise, Ingrao

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)