Reds pass Euro test with ease
Gerrard scored the opener after three minutes
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Tuesday, 11, Dec 2007 10:50
Liverpool scored two early goals before cruising to a 4-0 win away to Marseille and booking their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The win completed the Reds' recovery after a dismal start to their campaign had left them with just one point from three games at the halfway stage of group A.
Captain Steven Gerrard set the visitors on their way after just three minutes as a trademark burst into the opposition box was ended by a clear foul from Gael Givet.
The midfielder picked himself up and although his spot-kick was parried by Steve Mandanda, he banged home the loose ball to make it a dream start for manager Rafael Benitez.
The evening improved for the under-pressure Spaniard as his compatriot Fernando Torres feinted his way through a crowded penalty box and slotted home to double the advantage on ten minutes.
The home crowd, who had been in good voice before kick-off, were duly silenced and their team never looked like reigniting the atmosphere after their two early setbacks.
Gerrard and Harry Kewell both threatened to put Liverpool out of sight with long-range efforts while Torres' pace and skill was a constant concern for the hosts' backline.
Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt found the net after the break after a poor clearance kick from Mandanda was seized upon by the alert Kewell before Ryan Babel rounded off the evening with a fourth.
The former Ajax youngster outpaced a tiring defender to nudge the ball beyond the onrushing Mandanda and sidefoot home in injury time.