Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was delighted with their Europa League victory at Unirea last night.

Bruno Fernandes' thumping header put the Romanian champions into a 19th minute lead at the Steaua Stadium.

However, goals from Javier Mascherano and Ryan Babel fired the Reds back in front before Gerrard put the seal on a good night's work with a third for Rafael Benitez's side on 57 minutes.

"We knew before the game it was going to be tough," Gerrard told liverpoolfc.tv. "Unirea aren't a bad side and the conditions were horrendous out there.

"It was difficult to run and stop, but credit to the boys because we stuck in there.

"We went a goal down, but we showed good character to get back into it with a fantastic strike from Javier.

"When he does score, they tend to be from outside the box. It was a fantastic strike and one I'd certainly be proud of."

It was a landmark night for Gerrard, whose goal took him beyond Alan Shearer as the British player with the most European goals for an English club (33).

"It's very flattering," said the 29-year-old. "Some of my goals have come against easy opposition, so I don't think it's fair to put me above the likes of Alan Shearer.

"But to be mentioned in the same breath as that great man is always a pleasure."