Liverpool escaped what could have been an embarrassing Europa League exit with two late goals to beat Trabzonspor 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.

However, it was far from convincing and it needed a own goal by Remzi Kacar and a strike from Dirk Kuyt to secure their passage.

Their one-goal advantage had been wiped out in the fourth minute when Teofilo Gutierrez side-footed past Jose Reina but the late double salvo ensured manager Roy Hodgson did not become the first Reds boss to exit Europe before the end of August.

The victory was Liverpool's first in Turkey against Turkish opposition and their hosts' first defeat at home in 2010.

Liverpool had chance to put the tie to bed in the first leg but taking a 1-0 lead to Turkey was never going to ensure a comfortable night.

And despite finding themselves under huge pressure in the opening 45 minutes they should have wrapped things up a lot sooner than they eventually did.

David Ngog missed two second-half chances which Fernando Torres, the man he was standing in for with the Spaniard resting back on Merseyside, would probably have buried.

But the breakthrough eventually came eight minutes from time when Glen Johnson's cross from the right was turned in by Kacar under pressure from Ngog. Things were wrapped up late on as Kuyt tapped in after Kivrak could only parry out Joe Cole's shot.