An 87th-minute goal from Luis Suarez took Liverpool through to the Europa League [ Images ] main draw at the expense of Scotland's Hearts as CSKA Moscow [ Images ] crashed out to AIK Solna on Thursday.
CSKA, 2005 UEFA [ Images ] Cup winners, lost 2-0 to the Swedes who knocked out the Russians 2-1 on aggregate after Kwame Karikari grabbed an early goal for the visitors and Martin Lorentzon added a second in stoppage time.
Hearts, 1-0 down from the first leg, showed plenty of industry but rarely any creative spark as hosts Liverpool appeared content to play a waiting game in the qualifying playoff round match.
The ploy nearly backfired when David Templeton tried his luck from 35 yards out in the 84th minute and goalkeeper Pepe Reina [ Images ] fumbled what should have been a simple save to gift the visitors a lead.
However, Suarez scored from a tight angle three minutes later to see Liverpool through 2-1 on aggregate.
Elsewhere, most of the favoured teams made it through to the next round.
Inter Milan [ Images ] secured a 2-2 draw against Romanian side Vaslui to progress 4-2 on aggregate despite going down to 10 men after goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi was red-carded in the 33rd minute following a foul on Liviu Antal.
Olympique Marseille [ Images ] survived a goalless draw with Moldovan side Sheriff, going through thanks to a 2-1 win last week, while Red Star Belgrade went out after a 3-2 defeat at Girondins Bordeaux, Yoan Gouffran's penalty sealing victory for the Ligue 1 side.
Newcastle United saw off Atromitos 1-0 and 2-1 on aggregate thanks to substitute Haris Vuckic, on for the injured Ryan Taylor, who placed a fine curling shot from the edge of the area past the Greek club's goalkeeper Charles Itandje, formerly of Liverpool.
The Europa League draw takes place in Monaco on Friday.
Photograph: REUTERS/Phil Noble
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