Liverpool win 3-2 on aggregate
The Maccabi goalkeeper was called upon moments later, however, to deny Garcia after Pennant and Crouch neatly combined to create an opening for the Spaniard, and then ushered wide another speculative strike from range by Alonso.
Maccabi, so dangerous on the break in the first leg, had barely ventured into the Liverpool half but gave Benitez's side a fright on 21 minutes when Yaniv Katan's free-kick from the right caused havoc in the penalty area but, thankfully for Liverpool, play had been pulled up for offside before Xavier Dirceu headed in.
Otherwise, it was all Liverpool, with the Maccabi defence unable to contain the effervescent Garcia and contend with the physical stature of an inspired Crouch. Good hold-up play by the striker on 25 minutes invited Alonso to play Garcia in, but once again Davidovitch was equal to the shot.
The duo were enjoying their own private duel, and the Maccabi goalkeeper remained on top with a magnificent point-blank save from the Spaniard after Pennant's corner had been nodded on by Agger.
However, the longer Davidovitch kept Liverpool at bay, the more threatening Maccabi became with a 1-0 victory enough for the Israeli champions to progress.
Alonso swept a free-kick narrowly wide at the start of the second half before the goal finally arrived in the 54th minute.
After a period of Liverpool possession, Sissoko sprayed the ball wide right to the again impressive Pennant who controlled before skipping beyond Maccabi left-back Haim Magrashvili and finding Crouch to head in at the near post.
More good combination play, this time between Garcia, Alonso and Gonzalez ended with the Chilean striking the sidenetting.
Then out of nowhere Maccabi drew level on 63 minutes with a goal reminiscent of the one they scored at Anfield a fortnight ago.
A one-two between Anderson and Katan put the former clear for a shot Pepe Reina could only parry with Colautti in the right place to tap in the rebound.
Gerrard was then pressed into action as Sissoko was carted from the field with what appeared a nasty knee injury, sustained while making a tackle.
Spurred by their goal, Maccabi came alive and after Masudi acrobatically volleyed wide after being left unmarked at the far post, Agger was alert to clear with the Israelis having again worked through the Liverpool defence.
Gerrard almost made the game safe on 81 minutes but dragged his shot just wide before Reina palmed over a Colautti shot from the edge of the area.
It was to be Maccabi's last chance as Liverpool played out the final moments with a minimum of the fuss that had threatened their progress before kick-off.
MACCABI HAIFA: Davidovitch; Harazi, Olarra, Keinan (Meshumar 66), Magrashvili; Anderson (Melicsohn 72), Dirceo; Masudi (Arbaitman 80), Boccoli, Katan; Colautti. Subs: Alamdon, Kanan, Swan, Gazak.
BOOKINGS: Keinan, Anderson (both fouls) and Meshumar (simulation).
LIVERPOOL: Reina; Finnan, Hyypia, Agger, Warnock (Aurelio 28); Pennant (Bellamy 86), Sissoko (Gerrard 67), Alonso, Gonzalez; Garcia; Crouch. Subs: Dudek, Kromkamp, Zenden, Fowler.
BOOKINGS: Alonso, Hyypia (both fouls) and Finnan (unsporting behaviour).
REFEREE: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)
ATT: 16,000
NEXT GAME: Liverpool v West Ham, Barclays Premiership, Saturday August 26, 12.45pm
