His 21st-minute goal was expertly taken. After Steven Gerrard's 25-yard shot solicited a good save from Rabotnicki goalkeeper Martin Bogatinov, the resultant corner was fed short by the skipper to Cole loitering by the left edge of the area, whose curled cross was met by a towering header from the unmarked Ngog that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar.

But while the Frenchman's hold-up play and movement continues to improve, earning Liverpool the penalty from which Gerrard struck the second, doubts persist over his ruthlessness in front of goal, He was twice put through but dallied too long until the chance was lost.

Rabotnicki confirmed first-leg suspicions that, for all their pluck and vigour, they aren't actually very good. As in last week's game, the Macedonians became tremendously excited at the mere sight of Diego Cavalieri's goal, Wandeir trying his luck from 40 yards and then almost clearing the Kop from nearer in.

Instead, the action was focused primarily around visiting keeper Bogatinov and his defenders.

Liverpool should have been ahead in the 14th minute. A backheel from Cole rolled a Lucas Leiva pass into the path of Gerrard, who instantly put Ngog clear on goal. However, the striker waited far too long, allowing Bogatinov to stretch out a hand and clear the danger.

Bogatinov was then alert to another Cole pass almost releasing Pacheco before the new boy curled a 20-yard effort narrowly over.

Liverpool's second arrived five minutes from half-time.

Rabotnicki centre-back Fernando hauled Ngog to the ground after Lucas had helped on a Gerrard corner, and the captain netted the spot-kick.

Progress effectively sealed, Liverpool eased down the gears after the interval but nevertheless only some good goalkeeping and desperate defending helped Rabotnicki keep the score down.

After Cole's attempted cross hit the bar, a Jovanovic run ended with a shot that was beaten out by Bogatinov. The goalkeeper then twice denied Cole a debut goal at his near post, but could only watch and hope when Ngog's header from a Glen Johnson cross drifted inches wide.

The visitors threw everyone forward in the closing minutes in search of a consolation, only for a brave clearance from Kelly and a shot from Marcio that struck the post from close range to ensure a second successive clean sheet for Hodgson. Not bad. But now for the real stuff.