PSV Eindhoven 0, Liverpool 3 (D,Post)

Apr 4 2007 by Ian Doyle

Benitez had warned the game would be much different to the meetings between the teams during the group stage. Even so, he might have expected more from a PSV team that, while admittedly shorn of key players such as striker Arouna Kone and defender Alex and in a poor run of domestic form, were far too negative and capitulated once they went behind.

The only sour point of the evening was the injury to Fabio Aurelio, the Brazilian crumbling to the ground in agony with no PSV player near him after catching his foot in the turf.

A scan today will determine the severity of the problem which was desperate timing for Aurelio, who had began to look the part after a fragmented start to his Liverpool career.

The full-back had retained his place from the Arsenal line-up, as did Crouch, the striker’s hat-trick convincing Benitez to pair him in attack alongside the returning Dirk Kuyt.

In all there were three changes made by Benitez, with Steve Finnan and Riise also stepping back into the starting line-up.

Having seen his side frustrated by an obdurate PSV last month, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger claimed Liverpool were strong favourites to progress.

Certainly, goals have become a rare commodity for the Dutch side in the competition, with PSV having netted just eight goals in their eight previous Champions League games this season.

The goalless draw with Liverpool here that opened the group stage in September was a dour affair. Far more entertaining were PSV’s attempts last night to generate an atmosphere by blaring out pseudo-dance music to a home support encouraged to wave plastic flags.

But that was about as exciting as it got for the Dutch fans on an evening Liverpool largely dominated.

Carragher had the first chance on 16 minutes when his powerful header from Gerrard’s left-wing corner was expertly palmed away by PSV goalkeeper Gomes stretching to his left.

The centre-back was back in more conventional territory moments later to deflect a Mika Vayrynen shot over the crossbar from inside the six-yard area after the PSV man was found worryingly unmarked by Kromkamp’s cross.

That was as near as the home team got after Liverpool went ahead on 27 minutes, with Gerrard’s inclination to drift into the middle from his right-wing role pivotal.

It gave Steve Finnan the space in which to burst down the flank on to Javier Mascherano’s pass, and meant Gerrard was in the right place to rise above team-mate Kuyt and head home the Irishman’s pinpoint cross from 12 yards out.

No matter where Gerrard plays, he makes a contribution to this Liverpool team. And with Mascherano and Xabi Alonso dominating midfield last night, it gave the skipper the chance to roam. PSV barely got near him all night.