Liverpool have recorded a crucial away victory in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie against FC Gomel.

Brendan Rodgers's side started brightly in Belarus and were nearly ahead when Steven Gerrard was put through on goal, but the Reds skipper couldn't compose himself when it mattered.

Aleksandr Alumona had the best chance of the first half but the Gomel striker wasted a golden chance from only six yards out, with Liverpool struggling to deal with the threat posed by their opponents.

Gomel once again came close to taking the lead in the second half when Sergei Kozeka rattled the post with his powerful effort from outside the area.

However, it was Liverpool who found the crucial first goal in the 68th minute with Stewart Downing cutting in from the wing before unleashing a 30-yard strike that nestled in the bottom corner of the net to shock Vladimir Bushma in the Gomel goal.

Liverpool's lead was threatened in the final stages of the game when Alumona sent his volley just wide of Brad Jones's goal but Rodgers's side will hold a slender advantage heading into the second leg.