Benteke nets winner as Liverpool progress to the last 32

Christian Benteke scored a fine goal as Liverpool defeated Bordeaux 2-1 to secure their place in the last 32 of the Europa League.

The Reds, who were again without Daniel Sturridge after the striker suffered a foot injury on the day of the game, made a sloppy start and went a goal behind.

The French side were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the box after Simon Mignolet was penalised for taking around 20 seconds to take a goal-kick and Henri Saviet punished him by curling the set piece into the top corner.

But Jurgen Klopp's side were soon level after Ludovic Sane needlessly pulled down Benteke in the box to concede a penalty, with James Milner stepping up to send the keeper the wrong way to make it 1-1.

And the Reds took the lead in first half stoppage time when Benteke chested down Nathaniel Clyne's cross before rifling the ball into the net.

The Belgian striker had a goal ruled out in the second half for a foul in the build-up as Liverpool held on for a scrappy win to go top of pool B and end Bordeaux's hopes of qualifying.

13' - MIGNOLET ERROR: Chantôme nearly scores when his goal-bound effort is blocked by Toure after a blunder by Mignolet who came off his line to make a poor headed clearance.

22' - BENTEKE SHOT: Benteke times his run perfectly to run onto a long ball, take it down on his chest and fire the ball wide from a tight angle.

28' - DISALLOWED GOAL: Benteke puts the ball in the back of the net from close range from Ibe's through ball but he is flagged for off-side.

33' - GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Bordeaux: Saivet curls the free-kick into the top corner to give the French side the lead, a brilliant bit of skill.

37' - LIVERPOOL PENALTY! Benteke is pushed over by Sane, no need to make that challenge at all.

38' - GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Bordeaux: Milner tucks home the penalty into the bottom right corner to send the keeper the wrong way to make it 1-1.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Bordeaux: Benteke chests down Clyne's cross on the edge of the box and hammers the ball into the net, a fine goal from the big Belgian striker.

50' - BENTEKE MISS: Liverpool take a quick throw in and Allen threads the ball through to Firmino who cuts the ball back to Benteke who blazes his effort over the bar from close range.

53' - DISALLOWED GOAL: Benteke side foots the ball into the net from eight yards from Milner's low cross but the goal is ruled out for a foul in the build-up by the striker.

90'+1 - MIGNOLET SAVE: The set piece from Saivet is beaten away by Mignolet at his near post, decent save.

Liverpool have won five of their past six games.

Daniel Sturridge has yet to play for Liverpool since Jurgen Klopp became manager.

Bordeaux scored their first ever goal in England.

The French side have lost six straight games on British soil.

What does Jurgen Klopp do about Daniel Sturridge? The striker was expected to play for the first time since October 4th but was instead sent to hospital to have a scan on his foot. Klopp has other strikers at his disposal but his patience, along with the fans, must be starting to wane with the England forward who has been dogged by injury problems over the past 18 months.

Christian Benteke (Liverpool): He was involved in all of the attacks the Reds mustered. His strength and movement was difficult for the Bordeaux defence to handle and he took his goal brilliantly. The Belgian forward had a goal chalked off for off-side and another for a foul. It was a performance to remind everyone that when fit, he is a handful.

Liverpool: Mignolet 3, Clyne 5, Touré 5, Lovren 5, Moreno 6, Lucas 5, Allen 4, Milner 6, Ibe 6, Firmino 5, Benteke 8. Subs: Can 5, Lallana 5, Origi 4.

Bordeaux: Carrasso 5, Poko 4, Sané 4, Yambaré 5, Contento 5, Pasil 5, Chantôme 6, Saivet 7, Rolan 5, Crivelli 5, Jussie 5. Subs: Diabaté 5, Maurice-Belay 4, Ounas 5.