Liverpool marched into the knockout stages of the Champions League with a convincing 4-0 win over an outclassed Marseille. An early penalty strike from captain Steven Gerrard was followed by a superb solo effort from Fernando Torres, a Dirk Kuyt goal early in the second half and a stoppage time effort from substitute Ryan Babel as Liverpool became the first English club to win at the home of France's best-supported club.
Rafa's decision to start Kuyt instead of Peter Crouch was vindicated inside three minutes when the Dutch striker clipped a simple ball beyond a flat-heeled back four to send Gerrard steaming towards the Marseille goal. Fouled by a desperate Marseille defender, the Liverpool captain got up to take the resulting penalty himself. Marseille's goalkeeper, did well to block a rising strike but the rebound fell kindly for Gerrard, who easily side-footed the ball home.
Softened up by that the shock goal, Marseille were left reeling again seven minutes later by the brilliance of Torres. Retrieving a pass from Kewell on the left, the Spaniard swept past 2 defenders and coolly threaded his shot into the far corner of the net.
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