Gerrard fires Liverpool into last 16

Nov 26 2008

Steven Gerrard's 30th goal in Europe sent his side into the last 16 of the Champions League after a 1-0 win over Marseille.

The Anfield skipper returned after a torn groin muscle to continue his personal vendetta against the French side in this Group D clash.

Last season Marseille won at Anfield in this competition and started a crisis that almost cost boss Rafael Benitez his job, but since then Liverpool have beaten Marseille three times, with Gerrard scoring four goals.

This time a first-half header gave him his eighth goal of the season, and fifth in Europe, but it was not a convincing Liverpool victory.

Marseille were the better side after the break and it needed the considerable defiance of Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger to keep them out.

This game was Benitez's 66th European game in charge of Liverpool and produced his 39th victory in that run, equalling Bob Paisley's record.

Eventually the game spluttered into life when Fernando Torres got to the line and laid the ball back for Dirk Kuyt to see a good header fumbled away by Steve Mandanda.

From the resulting corner by Gerrard the ball was half cleared away to Alvaro Arbeloa and he guided the ball out to Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard then fired in a far-post cross allowing Gerrard - still moving into the box following his corner - to plant a firm header wide of Mandanda in the 23rd minute to give the hosts the lead.

But belief still coursed through Marseille, and Jose Reina did well to turn away a fierce 25-yarder from Taye Taiwo, with Ronald Zubar going close with a header from the resulting corner.

And when the clever Ben Arfa's low cross flashed into the Liverpool box, Benoit Cheyrou was too close for comfort with his run into space, but for all their efforts the visitors failed to break down the Reds defence and they left Anfield empty handed.