Liverpool waltz to win against PSV
Rafael Benitez saw his side romp to victory
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Tuesday, 03, Apr 2007 11:17
Liverpool took a giant stride towards the semi-finals of the Uefa Champions League with a 3-0 win away to PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their final-eight clash.
After masterminding Arsenal's departure from the competition in the previous round and Liverpool's exit last year, Ronald Koeman would have expected more than to see his side collapse in an embarrassing second-half showing.
The opening exchanges gave little indication of the one-sided spectacle that was to come as Jamie Carragher's headed chance for the visitors was more than matched by an opening that Mika Varynen wasted at the far post for PSV a few minutes later.
But after 27 minutes Liverpool edged ahead as captain Steven Gerrard muscled in front of team-mate Dirk Kuyt to guide home a header from a Steve Finnan cross.
After failing to threaten a leveller in the remainder of the first half, Koeman sent his team out after the interval with instructions to press forward.
That plan unravelled within five minutes as a mistake-strewn start to the second period conceded possession to John Arne Riise who unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard volley to double the advantage.
In complete control of the game, the Reds added a third just after the hour as Peter Crouch built on his weekend hat-trick against Arsenal with a well-placed header against their continental conquerors.
As the end approached PSV's attacking threat still failed to return and allowed Rafael Benitez to relax in the build-up to the return, resting star performers Gerrard and Crouch with late substitutions.
The only concern for the Merseysiders was an injury to left-back Fabio Aurelio, who was stretchered off midway through the second period and could be out for the season.