Liverpool produced a magnificent performance to reach the Champions League quarter-finals with a 5-0 aggregate defeat of Real Madrid.In a remarkable first half, Real Madrid were torn to shreds by a breathtaking attacking display led by Fernando Torres, their arch-enemy from his Atletico Madrid days.Torres scored early on, before Steven Gerrard fired home from the spot.

And had it not been for an outstanding display from Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Liverpool would have had a hatful in that first 45 minutes alone.

Gerrard scored a spectacular third seconds after the break to deflate Madrid further and substitute Andrea Dossena added a fourth with three minutes to go. Gerrard struck twice on his 100th European appearance for Liverpool to secure a quite breathtaking victory, Real were humbled for the second time in a fortnight by their old boy Rafael Benitez.It inspired a stunning start from Liverpool, with Casillas making two world-class saves in the opening minutes.
Torres, back after an ankle injury, had already embarked on one surging run into the box, before he dumbfounded Fabio Cannavaro with a brilliant turn to control a Gerrard pass, only for Casillas to save with his right foot.Ryan Babel and Javier Mascherano both had shots deflected wide before Casillas rescued Madrid again, stretching to his left to touch a Mascherano 20-yard effort onto the bar and over.After 16 minutes Liverpool were ahead.

Jamie Carragher's long ball had Real on the turn with Torres and Dirk Kuyt baring down on Pepe.Torres looked to nudge Pepe from behind, and the Portuguese defender fell, leaving Kuyt to square the ball for Torres to beat Casillas from six yards, only his second goal against Real having managed just one against them for Atletico.

Real were furious with referee Frank De Bleeckere, the official who sent off Marco Materazzi when Inter Milan were beaten at Anfield at this same stage last season. But the Belgian was unmoved.Pepe was soon booked for dissent before Casillas needed to be at his best to stop a towering Martin Skrtel header, before he somehow beat away a Gerrard shot following more brilliance from Torres on the left.

Gerrard was booked for a foul on Sergio Ramos before more misfortune befell Madrid. A linesman's flag signalled to De Bleeckere after 27 minutes that Gabriel Heinze had handled in the box.Replays showed the ball hit the former Manchester United man on the shoulder, and he was booked for making his point. But Gerrard was nerveless, driving home the spot-kick.
Real were fuming.

Heinze hurled himself feet first into Torres and it needed De Bleeckere and Gerrard to calm the situation, before Jose Reina produced his first saves of the night to turn away a Wesley Sneijder free-kick and hold Raul's header.

Another instinctive save from Reina stopped Sneijder from close range before Mascherano found himself booked after Xabi Alonso had tripped Pepe.That will rule him out of the next European match, but it was unclear whether the yellow card was mistaken identity or because the ball was kicked away from the free-kick.Real needed to do something, and they sent on Brazilian forward Marcelo for the anonymous Arjen Robben at the break.

But any plans for a fightback were destroyed just 65 seconds into the second period. Babel got away on the left and laid the ball back for Gerrard to volley superbly high into the net with Casillas helpless.Real were in pieces, and had it not again been for Casillas - punching the ball away to his right - Gerrard would have had another after 54 minutes.On the hour Lucas was sent on to replace Alonso, with Saturday's likely epic no doubt in Benitez's mind.

Belatedly Real took off a defender, Cannavaro, and sent on an extra forward in Rafael van der Vaart. But Madrid had been bereft of attacking ideas, and it was far too late by now.Raul and Fernando Gago both had chances, but Liverpool were cruising at this stage and next to be given a rest was Torres with eight minutes to go, Dossena taking over, only to be booked within seconds.
Liverpool were able to indulge themselves by bringing on local teenager Jay Spearing in midfield for Gerrard, an Anfield debut for the former FA Youth Cup-winning captain.With three minutes to go, the Italian defender appeared in the box to fire home the fourth goal of the night after a fine build-up involving Babel and Mascherano. (ESPN)

If manager Benitez feels he does not get enough respect for his Champions League achievements at Anfield, this fourth appearance in the last eight in five years will go a long way to gaining him the credit he craves.

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10:15 AM
Categories: ECL, Fernando Torres, Liverpool, nfield, Real Madrid, steven gerard. Author: nik

Liverpool left it late - very late - to secure their place in Thursday's Champions League draw and you can now enjoy Dirk Kuyt's 117th minute strike against Standard Liege online.

With the clock ticking towards a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out Ryan Babel's cross from the left finally unlocked a well organised Belgian defence and Kuyt celebrated his 100th game for the club with the most important goal he's ever scored.

Meanwhile benitez hails amazing Kuyt ..

Rafael Benitez hailed the 'amazing' energy of Dirk Kuyt after the forward marked his 100th game for the Reds with the winner against Standard Liege.

The Dutchman was on hand to fire home Ryan Babel's deep cross with just two min
utes of extra-time remaining to secure a 1-0 win and book Liverpool's place in the lucrative Group Stage of the Champions League.

It was a strike that ended the Belgian champions' brave resistance and the Reds boss admitted he was relieved that his side's efforts were eventually rewarded.

"I was really pleased because Kuyt scored the winning goal," said Rafa.

"His effort is amazing every game. I'm also really pleased because Nabil played well again.

"We knew it could be difficult. From the first minute they played well and we knew they would play well on the counter attack so we had to work really hard until the end.

"For me the most positive thing is that we played a little bit better against a good team who are sharp and we scored at the end. That means that the team are working really hard."

Benitez felt the overriding factor behind his side's late winner was their ability in the wide areas and was pleased that they kept going, despite suffering an evening full of frustration.

"The goal came from a good cross from Ryan Babel and Nabil also played well," he said. "You play with wingers because it gives you space for penetrating passes.

"It's important to have balance in defence but also in attack so that you have pace and quality in the wide areas, with Torres and Keane in the middle.

"We had confidence and we kept pushing. We knew from the first game they are really good and today they also played well. They were always a threat because you know you can concede from a free-kick or a corner but we were going forward well and controlling the game but we were missing the final pass to make the difference."

In an end to end first-half the Reds were twice grateful to Pepe Reina for producing two fantastic saves and while Benitez was delighted with his stopper's display he refused to heap too much praise on individual performances.

"Pepe was the key player in the first game but today it is not about just one player, it is about all of them," he said.

"You could see how hard they were working against a good team. When you play this kind of game you know the other team is training and playing thinking about just this game.

"We had the international break the other day and a lot of players weren't ready, so it was important to make sure we got through and we can now start work again with the group."

Benitez and co can now look forward to tomorrow's group stage draw safe in the knowledge they have once again boosted both the Anfield coffers and their chances of more silverware come May.

"To have the possibility to play for trophies is amazing and really important and also in terms of money," he added.

"We know it is important. If you play at this level you will have more chances of winning trophies and money."

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10:05 AM
Categories: Dirk Kuyt, ECL, Rafa Benitez, Standard Liege. Author: nik

STANDARD LIEGE 0 - 0 LIVERPOOL Wednesday 13 August 2008 20:05 , Champions League Qualifier (1) REINA HEROICS SECURE LIEGE DRAW Liverpool's Champions League dream is still alive after Pepe Reina's first-half penalty save secured a goalless draw with Standard Liege in a tense third round qualifying tie at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne. Rafael Benitez's side struggled to impose their game on the Belgian champions throughout a tight contest and will now head into the second-leg at Anfield in two weeks time knowing victory is imperative if they are to progress to the group stage of the competition. Ahead of the match the Reds were greeted by a wall of noise as the Liege faithful did their best to imitate Anfield's famous 12th man, a fact boldly highlighted by the 'Kop Rouches' banner that was decked across one of the stands of the 'Chaudron de Sclessin'. It was a reception that illustrated the level of respect they have for a club with such similar traditions to their own, although they did not allow themselves to be overawed by the 2005 winners as they set about making life uncomfortable for Rafael Benitez's side from the start. Indeed, it was the Reds of Belgium who were playing with the authority that had been expected from the Merseysiders and within seven minutes they left Liverpool shaken when a free-kick from the left was whipped into the penalty area allowing Marouane Fellaini to ghost in unmarked and bounce a free header against the post; with Pepe Reina performing miracles to somehow palm the rebounding ball to safety. It was a warning for the visitors but one they did not take heed of and three minutes later they conceded a spot-kick when Wilfried Dalmat's cross from the right was harshly adjudged to have been handled in the area by Andrea Dossena - although the Italian's protests that the incident took place outside the area seemed more than justified. A roar of anticipation greeted Dante Bonfirm Costa as he stepped up to face Reina, but the full-back never looked confident and the Spaniard further enhanced his reputation as a penalty-saving expert when he dived to his right to block a tame effort with his legs. As the half progressed the Reds began to settle, but they did struggle to create any openings of note and the much-vaunted strike force of Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane - who was making his competitive bow for the Reds - rarely gave the Liege rearguard much to worry about. A 35-yard Xabi Alonso free-kick that curved onto the roof of the net was the best Liverpool had to show for their first-half efforts and Benitez must have been relieved to get his side in at half-time with the game still scoreless. The visitors needed to silence the buoyant home support with a more sustained spell of possession in the second period but it was Laszlo Boloni's men that continued to look the more threatening. Reina twice had to be alert to deny Dieu Mbokani after it looked like the long ball over the top would set him free, while only an offside flag prevented Dirk Kuyt's last-ditch block on Igor De Camargo from being more meaningful. It was one-way traffic in terms of chances and only De Camargo will know how he failed to give the Belgians the lead just past the hour mark when he contrived to guide Dante's delightful cross inches wide of the far post. The five-times winners of the competition were in need of some inspiration, and it came as no surprise when Steven Gerrard, who had been a doubt ahead of the match with a thigh strain, emerged from the bench with just over 20 minutes remaining to replace Keane alongside Torres. It didn't take long for the England man to get amongst it either and within minutes he had sent a curling 25-yard free-kick just wide of Aragon Espinoza's right-hand post. However, not even a player who has so often been Liverpool's hero over the years could turn the match in the away side's favour and they will now head back to England determined to put the record straight at Anfield where the Belgian side will come face-to-face with the real 12th man. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Dossena, Carragher (captain), Agger, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Alonso, Plessis, Kuyt, Torres, Keane. Subs - Hyypia, Pennant, Insua, Cavalieri, El Zhar, Voronin, Gerrard Standard Liege: Espinosa, Bonfim Costa, Mikulic, Sarr, , Witsel, Defour (captain), Fellaini, Dalmat, Mbokani, De Camargo. Subs - Goreux, Ingrao, Benko, Dembele, Nicaise, Toama, De Vriendt Referee: Tom Henning Ovrebo (Nor) Conditions: Windy Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Pepe Reina Breakdown 19:05 GMT : Match Starts 1 min : Liverpool kick off wearing their new green European kit 2 mins : Great atmosphere inside the stadium in the early stages 5 mins : Keane is muscled out of possession on the touch-line. No chances to speak of so far 6 mins : Arbeloa concedes a cheap free kick, giving the home side the chance to get the ball into Reina's area 8 mins : Feillani comes within inches of opening the scoring with a header from 6 yards which hits the post and appears to cross the line before Reina palms it away 9 mins : Alonso goes for goal from a free kick but strikes the ball into the wall 10 mins : Dossena concedes a penalty with a handball inside the area 11 mins : Dante's spot kick is poor and Reina saves with a dive away to his right hand side 15 mins : Feillani heads tamely wide from a corner as the home side continue to ask the early questions 19 mins : Liverpool have a free kick in a great position on the edge of the area after foul on Benayoun 19 mins : Alonso curls in the kick but Dante is well placed to head clear 24 mins : De Camargo goes on a mazy run but is well tracked by Alonso who recovers possession 26 mins : First Booking: Xabi Alonso: Late challenge earns a yellow card 30 mins : First Booking: Marcos : Bad tackle on Torres - Liverpool win free kick 22 yards from goal 31 mins : The free kick comes to nothing as Alonso strikes the wall with his effort 40 mins : Torres drives the ball into the area but it comes to nothing as the home side clear 42 mins : Torres is fouled again as Liverpool win another free kick on the left 19:52 GMT : Half Time Reached 20:08 GMT : Second Half Begins 46 mins : The home side get the second period underway 47 mins : Darfour floats in a free kick which Reina deals with, but he's fouled and we have a free kick 50 mins : De Camargo has a chance clear in the area but can't make proper contact with his shot 54 mins : Arbeloa concedes a corner as the home side pour forward again to pose us problems 58 mins : Torres almost latches onto a long ball forward but the home 'keeper is out quickly to smother the danger 62 mins : Alonso finds Keane who wins a corner - chance for us 63 mins : Alonso's corner is well defended by a well organised home defence 65 mins : Another chance for Liege goes begging as De Camargo heads wide with only Reina to beat 67 mins : Substitution: Steven Gerrard for Robbie Keane: 68 mins : Gerrard's corner is punched away as far as Alonso who shoots wide, but he's fouled as he shoots as we win a free kick on edge of the box 71 mins : Gerrard bends the kick over the bar 73 mins : Reina does well under pressure to deal with another dangerous situation in his area 74 mins : Alonso is down and needs treatment as the game comes to a stop 82 mins : Substitution: Nabil El Zhar for Dirk Kuyt: 87 mins : First Booking: Tomislav Mikulic: 90 mins : Gerrard goes for goal with a late free kick which is easily saved 20:56 GMT : Match Over

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1:46 PM
Categories: ECL, Reina, Standard Liege. Author: nik