Europa League round-up: Newcastle progress but Liverpool have to wait

Newcastle United progressed to the knockout stage of the Europa League after drawing 1-1 with Maritimo but Liverpool must wait to seal their fate after playing out a 2-2 result against Young Boys.

Alan Pardew’s men took the lead at St James’ Park as Hatem Ben Arfa fed Sylvain Marveaux in the penalty area, and the Frenchman weaved his way past two men and fired beyond Romain Salin.

Danilo Dias and Ruben Ferreira forced smart saves from Tim Krul as the Toon’s Portuguese opponents attempted to find their way back in to the match.

But Krul couldn’t deny Fidelis, 11 minutes from time, as he surged from deep to fire the ball in to the back of the net to equalise on Tyneside.

And despite their late disappointment the Magpies now enter the next phase of the competition.

At Anfield Liverpool were also denied victory thanks to a late strike but Elsad Zverotic’s excellent drive for Young Boys leaves their qualification to the next round in jeopardy.

The Reds took the lead on home soil just after the half-hour mark as Jonjo Shelvey nodded home Joe Cole’s fine cross.

Raul Bobadilla got the Swiss outfit back on level terms early in the second period as he volleyed beyond Pepe Reina thanks to Alexander Farnerud’s pinpoint pass.

But Brendan Rodgers’ side regained the lead when Cole, who was in brilliant form all night, was able to get on the end of Steven Gerrard’s pass and finish neatly between the goalkeeper’s legs.

Zverortic, though, denied Liverpool the victory they needed by slamming a fierce strike past Reina from 25-yards to make it 2-2 with two minutes left on the clock.

The Reds must now get a result against Udinese in two weeks time to ensure they qualify to the next phase of the competition.