Dalglish - Reds respect Unirea

Kenny Dalglish insists Liverpool will not be under-estimating Unirea Urziceni after being pitted against the Romanians in the Europa League.

The Reds, like Unirea, dropped into the Europa League after failing to progress from the group stage of the Champions League.

Unirea finished third in Group G and picked up a memorable win over Rangers at Ibrox in the group.

Dalglish admitted Reds boss Rafa Benitez is likely to speak to Rangers counterpart Walter Smith to get the lowdown on their opponents.

"I think they got eight points in their Champions League group which included Rangers, Sevilla and Stuttgart so that's a decent number of points," Dalglish told Sky Sports News.

"Obviously there is plenty of coverage now, it's not as if you're going to get a team that won't have been on television so there's plenty of tape there for Rafa (Benitez) to have a look at.

"And also there's a phone call up the road to Walter Smith at Rangers, I'm sure he'll be happy to disclose any information he's got on them.

Difficult game

Liverpool could face a return to Istanbul, scene of their famous Champions League success of 2005, in the last 16 if they overcome Unirea with Fenerbahce or Lille waiting in the next round.

Dalglish admits the club would relish a return to Turkey, but insists they are not thinking too far ahead of themselves.

"We've got happy memories of Istanbul," added Dalglish. "But we've got to pay Unirea the respect they deserve."

Former Reds boss Dalglish conceded Liverpool would rather be still in the Champions League, but insisted they will be going all out to win the Europa League.

"We'd rather be in the Champions League," noted Dalglish.

"But we'll give it as good a go to win it, as we would the Champions League, I don't think the boys will let anyone down."