Christian Benteke's fearsome strike on the stroke of half time has given Liverpool a 2-1 lead over Bordeaux in the Europa League.

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Roberto Firmino wriggled free of the Bordeaux back four early on, but scuffed his volley as it bobbled harmlessly into the hands of Cedric Carrasso.

Clement Chantome then almost caught Simon Mignolet off his goal line, but Kolo Toure made a crucial block.

Henri Saivet had the opportunity to test Mignolet with a free kick from just outside the area in the 20th minute, but the midfielder blasted his effort into the wall and then sliced the follow-up high and wide.

Benteke broke the offside trap a few moments later, but he rushed his half-volley and it whizzed past the near post.

The forward did have the ball in the back of the net in the 29th minute, but his coolly taken finish was ruled out for offside.

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Bordeaux went ahead after 33 minutes when Mignolet was penalised for holding on to the ball for too long, and Saivet dispatched the resultant free kick into the top corner.

Captain James Milner levelled from the spot for Liverpool five minutes later though after Benteke was hauled down by Lamine Sane.

Benteke then put the Reds ahead with the last kick of the half as he span away from his marker before firing a powerful shot beyond Carrasso.