Todays Press (And not one mention of Lucky Liverpool in the whole report!)
Brilliant Gerrard dismantles Dutch
By Henry Winter in Eindhoven
Last Updated: 1:14am BST 04/04/2007
PSV Eindhoven (0) 0 Liverpool (1) 3
Steven Gerrard, giving another swashbuckling midweek display, last night broke PSV Eindhoven's hearts and Ian Rush's European Cup record of 14 goals. Gerrard was immense at the Philips Stadium last night, ably assisted by the outstanding Steve Finnan as Liverpool all but booked their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Gerrard headed in the first, John Arne Riise drilled in a sensational second before Peter Crouch applied the coup de grace with Liverpool's third, a towering header. Liverpool may been removed from title contention early this season, but they remain a remarkable force in Europe.
Brilliant Gerrard dismantles Dutch
Captain Marvel: Steven Gerrard ran the show from midfield
Helped by dreadful defending, Rafa Benitez's men were energy personified as they embarrassed PSV to record their largest Champions League win. Gerrard charged about, Finnan delivered some superb passes, while Javier Mascherano anchored diligently alongside the influential Xabi Alonso.
Completely in tune with Benitez's game-plan, all of Liverpool's players shone, with Jamie Carragher again excelling at the back, dealing comfortably with what minimal threat PSV could conjure up, and almost scoring early on.
The only dark moment on a glittering night for Liverpool was the ruptured Achilles that has ended Fabio Aurelio's season.
Before Gerrard injected some class into proceedings with his magnificent header shortly before the half-hour mark, there had been little to seize the imagination. With two of the world's leading holding midfielders on view, a cagey opening was inevitable as Phillip Cocu and Mascherano patrolled effortlessly in front of the back-fours of PSV and Liverpool respectively. Little moved without their permission.
But the super-charged engine that Gerrard was beginning to build up steam, slowly injecting life into the game, and soon masterminding the humiliation of Ronald Koeman's hosts. PSV did not know what hit them from the 27th minute to the 63rd when Liverpool pushed themselves to within touching distance of the semi-finals.
It was Gerrard who began the dismantling of the Dutch, increasing the workload on Cocu. PSV's cpatain was increasingly busy trying to put fires started by Gerrard, protecting a defence patently missing the commanding presence of Alex, the injured centre-half who had evicted Arsenal. Espying PSV's central weakness without Alex, Liverpool began crossing from either flank.
The threat emanated from the left first. When Gerrard swung in a 16th-minute corner, one man wanted to reach it first: Carragher, all strength and determination. On the day that he broke the club record of 57 European Cup appearances held by Phil Neal, Carragher showed why he has matured into such an outstanding footballer.
PSV were caught napping as Carragher rose menacingly, his forehead connecting meatily with the ball, sending it speeding goalwards. Just as the Liverpool fans were leaping up in celebration, the brilliant Gomes flung himself to his left to push the ball away. When ambitious clubs next hunt a high-class keeper, PSV's Brazilian will be a primary target.
But when Liverpool came calling next, Gomes had no chance. Again PSV desperately missed Alex, yet a midfielder should have picked up Gerrard's 27th-minute run. Koeman's scouting reports must have highlighted Gerrard's goal threat from the deep, whether through piledriver strike or emphatic header. A tape of the 2005 European Cup final and 2006 FA Cup would have provided enough warning.
But when Finnan's enticing cross flew in from the right, PSV froze, ignoring the danger galloping towards them in the shape of Liverpool's No 8. Meeting Finnan's gift with power and timing, Gerrard headed it irresistibly past Gomes. A third of the game gone and Liverpool were all heads and tails up.
The Dutch League leaders hinted at retribution, primarily through angled balls over the top of Liverpool's full-backs, but when Jan Kromkamp drilled in a fine cross against his former colleagues, Carragher snuffed out the threat of Jefferson Farfan.
Deprived of the pace of the injured Arouna Kone, PSV's polyglot attack was largely pedestrian in the first half. Farfan, the Peruvian international drifted left with the Brazilian Diego Tardelli flickering down the right while the far-from-flying Finn, Mika Vayrynen, attempted to impose his lightweight frame on Carragher. Ambitious.
If PSV's defending had been of Sunday League quality on occasions before half-time, it proved pure schoolboy stuff four minutes after the re-start. Following a break by Gerrard, PSV managed to reclaim possession and promptly returned it to Liverpool.
The culprit was Timmy Simons defending with all the conviction of Timmy Mallett. Miscuing his clearance straight to Riise, Simons could only watch in horror as the Norwegian returned it with added interest, the ball accelerating 30 yards past poor Gomes.
Again, one shuddered to think whether Koeman's players had read the scouting report on their guests. Do not let Gerrard run towards the box without someone tracking him. Do not give Riise a free hit with his sledgehammer left foot.
And do not allow Crouch a header at goal. Following his weekend pyrotechnics against Arsenal, crouch had retained his place ahead of Craig Bellamy and he vindicated Benitez's decision after 63 minutes. Again Finnan's right foot proved a useful creative weapon, lifting the ball over for Crouch to head past Gomes.
Match details
PSV Eindhoven (4-1-2-3): Gomes; Kromkamp (Feher, 67), Da Costa, Simons, Salcido; Cocu; Mendez (Kluivert, 50), Culina; Tardelli, Vayrynen, Farfan (Sun Xiang, h-t).
Subs: Moens (g), Kluivert, Addo, Marcellis.
Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Fabio Aurelio; Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Riise (Zenden, 65); Crouch (Pennant, 84), Kuyt.
Subs: Dudek (g), Arbeloa, Hyypia, Gonzalez, Pennant, Bellamy.
Booked: Mascherano.
Referee: B Layec (France).
Liverpool in total control
By John Ley in Eindhoven
Last Updated: 1:14am BST 04/04/2007
Have your say Read comments
Match report: Brilliant Gerrard dismantles Dutch
In pics: Champions League quarter-finals
Football fans' forum
Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool to a magnificent 3-0 victory in the Champions League quarter-final first leg last night but warned against complacency in next week’s return. Although Gerrard put his team on course with a record 15th goal for Liverpool in the Europe’s top competition, he refused to discuss possible opponents in the semi-finals.
Asked whether he would prefer to face Valencia or Chelsea in the last four, the Liverpool captain said: “We’re not worrying about that yet. We just want to finish it off. We want to be professional and just worry about the next 90 minutes. Once we got the first goal it was a case of carrying on. We’re hard to break down and we made them pay on the counter-attack.”
On beating Ian Rush’s European scoring record, Gerrard added: “It was a bit embarrassing to be honest. He was someone I watched as a kid and I never dreamt I would be breaking any of his records. I am flattered.’’
Manager Rafael Benitez said: ''This team is better than the one that won the Champions League two years ago but we need to play one more game yet.”
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However, his PSV counterpart Ronald Koeman said one would have to be ''from another planet’’ to think his side could salvage the tie at Anfield next Wedneday. The only downside for Liverpool was an injury to Fabio Aurelio, who suffered a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon.
Captain has the power to keep Liverpool fully switched on
By John Ley
Last Updated: 1:14am BST 04/04/2007
Match report: Brilliant Gerrard dismantles Dutch
Quotes: Liverpool in total control | In pics: Champions League quarter-finals
Football fans' forum
In a city made famous for its light-bulb production - tourists can visit the Philips factory - it was easy to imagine a cartoon electric light hanging over the head of Rafael Benitez as he pondered ways of spending the estimated £40 million promised by new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett for new signings.
As the best midfielder England has to offer dived to head home the goal that should confirm Liverpool's passage into their second Champions League semi-final in three years, the Liverpool manager might have thought: "Why not use the money to keep Steven Gerrard at the club for life?"
Gerrard signed a new deal two years ago after rejecting two overtures from Chelsea and Gillett, who was present at the Philips Stadion, will perhaps consider it better to protect the gem he has rather than gamble on bringing in players from outside.
Whenever Liverpool are in trouble they call on their captain. On that unforgettable night in Istanbul, it was Gerrard who scored one goal and won the penalty that saw his side restore parity in the Champions League final before winning the penalty shoot-out. And when, in last season's FA Cup final, Liverpool were heading for defeat to West Ham it was Gerrard again who supplied two goals to take the game to extra time and another successful penalty shoot-out.
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Cue Gerrard again last night when, after a listless start, he launched himself forward to power in Steve Finnan's cross. Add his ability to boss a game and you have the key to Liverpool's future.
Further evidence last night suggested that, if changes are required to transform Liverpool from Champions League qualifiers into title winners, it is in attack. It is no coincidence that the first two goals came from midfield. John Arne Riise is another who has provided goals consistently and his stunning strike early in the second half only served to confirm Liverpool's superiority. By the time Peter Crouch headed the third, PSV had surrendered. That Liverpool are 21 points adrift of Premiership leaders Manchester United is down to a woeful start and a lack of goals, particularly away from home. That problem is even more perplexing given that they boast some of the best strikers England and Wales have available plus Holland's emerging Dirk Kuyt and the ageing Robbie Fowler.
Striker Andriy Voronin, a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, arrives in the summer but Benitez knows he requires more power up front.
David Villa, the Sevilla striker, Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o and Fernando Torres, captain at Atletico Madrid, are in the Anfield pending tray.
Even if Liverpool replicate their night of Turkish delight, the long-term future depends on bringing in new blood in attack and the guarantee that Gerrard remains at Anfield.
Benítez proud as Liverpool come close to perfection
The manager warns against complacency in second leg but admits this team is better than 2005 winners
Stuart James at the Philips Stadium
Wednesday April 4, 2007
The Guardian
It was difficult not to agree with Peter Crouch's assessment that Liverpool are "peaking at the right time" after Liverpool's crushing 3-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven, although the confidence generated by a result that all but guarantees the Premiership club's place into the Champions League semi-finals will be tempered by the realisation that far more demanding opponents await. PSV Eindhoven were dreadful.
Rafael Benítez and Steven Gerrard both warned against complacency in the second leg but the visitors' performance was so commanding that the normally reserved Liverpool manager claimed there was little room for improvement. "We knew what to do and that was the key for me," said the Spaniard. "We knew they had problems. We had to do the right things and profit from their mistakes. To score three goals and to get a clean sheet is almost perfect."
The only sour note for Benítez was an injury to Fabio Aurelio which looks likely to bring his season to a premature end. There was nobody near the Liverpool left-back when he collapsed to the ground clutching his achilles tendon. He was taken from the field on a stretcher and will have a scan this morning after leaving the ground on crutches. Benítez fears the worst. "It's an achilles tendon injury," said the Liverpool manager. "Normally this injury is really serious."
The Spaniard was more upbeat about his side's display. For all his caution - "we must be careful and approach the second game seriously" - a semi-final against Chelsea or Valencia beckons, evoking memories of their journey to Istanbul and that memorable final against Milan two years ago. "This team is better than the team that won the Champions League," claimed Benítez. "We have got to play one more game and after I hope the semi-final."
Ronald Koeman had declared beforehand that 0-0 "would be a good result" and that lack of ambition was evident throughout. Gerrard, outstanding again, put Liverpool ahead in the 28th minute with a bullet header set up by Steve Finnan and from then on the only challenge the visitors faced was the margin of victory they pursued. John Arne Riise propelled a 35-yard shot into the top corner before Crouch headed in a third, his fourth goal in as many days.
The emphatic scoreline prompted Koeman to concede afterwards that his side, hindered through the loss of several key players, had no chance of overcoming the deficit when they travel to Anfield in a week's time. "It doesn't give us any possibility to go into the next round," admitted the PSV manager. "I think it's not realistic to think we can win [at Liverpool]. If I could make [the players] believe they could still get into the next round I don't belong on this planet."
That might be the case but Liverpool will not treat the second leg as a non-event despite their comprehensive win here. "We are just concentrating on finishing them off," said Gerrard. "We want to be professional in our jobs and worry about the next 90 minutes." The Liverpool captain had provided the impetus for this win, his first-half goal taking his tally in the Champions League to 15, one more than Ian Rush managed in the European Cup.
"I am a bit embarrassed," said Gerrard, who was also making his 50th appearance in the Champions League. "He's someone I watched as a kid and I never dreamt I would break one of his records - I don't think I will be breaking any of his other ones. I am flattered but it's not really important to me. What's important is how well the team is doing. It was a really good performance and hopefully we can go all the way."
Jamie Carragher also reached a new landmark, his 58th appearance in the Champions League surpassing Phil Neal's record. "We broke some records and that's very positive," said Benítez. "We want to see Stevie scoring goals, Carry playing a lot of games and the team winning."
Victory was never in doubt from the moment Gerrard scored, Liverpool taking advantage of PSV's negative tactics to dominate a match that was watched by George Gillett, one half of the club's new American owners. Indeed the victory was so comfortable that Dirk Kuyt, already on a yellow card, needlessly encroached on a free-kick late on to ensure he picked up a booking that means he will be suspended for the return leg at Anfield but available for the semi-finals.
Liverpool could not have imagined a smoother passage into the last four. "We came here not to concede and to get a goal," said Crouch. "To get three is even better. I don't know if it's about rotation but perhaps we are peaking at the right time."
PSV Eindhoven 0 Liverpool 3: Gerrard leads destruction of Dutch on champion night for Liverpool
By Phil Shaw at the Philips Stadion
Published: 04 April 2007
Three-goal leads are no guarantee of success, as Liverpool proved in the Champions League final of 2005. But their defeat of PSV Eindhoven was so emphatic, and the opposition so mediocre, that even Ronald Koeman will struggle to muster a cunning plan to deny Rafa Benitez's team a place in the semi-finals a week tonight.
On a night of landmarks, the victory was Liverpool's biggest on their travels in the Champions League proper, and it should concern Chelsea or Valencia, who await the winners of this tie, that they have lost just twice in their last 16 European trips.
Steven Gerrard overhauled the total of 14 goals scored by Ian Rush when the competition was still the European Cup, while Jamie Carragher almost joined the spree as he broke Phil Neal's club record of 57 appearances in the tournament.
The advantage secured by Gerrard's first-half header was doubled by John Arne Riise shortly after half-time, and it fell to Peter Crouch to put the seal on a hugely assured collective performance with a header late on. PSV, conquerors of Arsenal, were reduced to an exercise in damage-limitation.
There was a down side to Liverpool's triumph, however. Fabio Aurelio, their Brazilian left-back, damaged an Achilles tendon in the closing stages, collapsing to the turf as he played the ball with no PSV player nearby. The Liverpool manager fears that Aurelio will take no further part in the season.
Dirk Kuyt will be suspended for the return match, but even that apparent blot on Liverpool's landscape compounded the feeling of satisfaction as they returned to Merseyside. By encroaching at a free-kick in the closing minutes, the Netherlands striker provoked a booking to ensure that he sits out the formality of the second leg rather than risk being banned for one of the semi-final fixtures.
PSV were already crippled by injury and saw Jefferson Farfan extend the list with a hamstring problem that means he will also be absent at Anfield. Koeman, the scourge of English clubs with Benfica and PSV over the past two seasons, conceded that the result left no scope for the Dutch champions to advance. "From the second goal onwards," he said, "it was clear that Liverpool were just too good for us."
Benitez, returning to his pre-match warnings against complacency, refused to accept, at least publicly, that progress was inevitable.
"We must approach the match seriously and see what happens," he said. Yet such a display merited praise and he supplied it succinctly, saying: "To score three and keep a clean sheet is almost perfect."
Gerrard insisted the players were "not worried" about who they took on for a place in the final in Athens. "We just need to be professional, finish the job and worry about the next 90 minutes," said the Liverpool captain. For his part, Crouch believed Liverpool were peaking at the right time, possibly because of Benitez's policy of rotating players. He added: "To win 3-0 away anywhere in Europe is fantastic."
PSV were initially well-organised, but it was soon evident that they were missing the aerial power of the injured Alex, the Brazilian defender leased from Chelsea. Gerrard's 23rd-minute corner picked out Carragher unmarked six yards from goal, but his hopes of a rare goal were dashed when Gomes swooped to his left to save.
PSV retaliated when a deep cross by Jan Kromkamp, the former Liverpool right-back, reached Mika Vayrynen. His goalbound volley struck Carragher and went for a corner, from which the veteran Phillip Cocu headed narrowly wide.
The sparring came to an end when Liverpool landed the first blow in the 27th minute. A neat interchange along their right flank between Javier Mascherano and Steve Finnan led to the defender crossing for Gerrard to climb above Kuyt and head in from 12 yards.
The England vice-captain had equalled Liverpool's individual scoring record of 14 goals in the 2-0 home win over PSV earlier in the competition. The teams had drawn 0-0 here - a good result for visitors in the group stage yet not necessarily one they would have wished to take back to Anfield given the threat of an away goal.
Spring may no longer have been in the air, the sunshine that had greeted Liverpool's arrival on Monday having been replaced by a cold snap, but the spring in their step brought a second goal three minutes after half-time.
Sloppy defending had already provided Xabi Alonso with two half-chances. Timmy Simons, under no pressure, then hooked his clearance straight to Riise, who took a touch to control the ball and powered forward before volleying it with the outside of his left beyond Gomes from 25 yards.
Cocu tried gamely to hold PSV together, but Liverpool's authority was absolute, with Carragher strolling through his milestone match and Jose Reina a virtual spectator. Their confidence was epitomised by Alonso's attempt to add to his portfolio of long-range goals, only for his 45-yard chipped shot to drift wide.
The third goal arrived shortly after the hour mark. The largely unsung Finnan was again the supplier, his centre from the right being met by a towering header from Crouch. In this city built on its electronic industry, the scoreboard flashed up "1-2", and then reverted to "0-2". For Koeman and PSV, that was so much wishful thinking.
Indeed, the PSV manager refused to indulge in any hope of a reversal of fortunes at Anfield. "It is impossible now to go to Anfield and make out a case for reaching the next round," he said. "If I tried to find a reason to believe that, I would be from another planet.
"We played well until they scored their first. Then we started to give Steve Finnan too much freedom and we started to make mistakes.
"From then on it was clear that Liverpool were too strong for us. It is not realistic to think that we can win the tie now."
PSV Eindhoven (4-1-2-3): Gomes; Kromkamp (Feher, 68), Da Costa, Simons, Salcido; Cocu; Mendez (Kluivert, 51), Culina; Diego Tardelli, Vayrynen, Farfan (Sun Xiang, 45). Substitutes not used: Moens (gk), Addo, Marcellis.
Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio (Gonzalez, 75); Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Riise (Zenden, 65); Kuyt, Crouch (Pennant, 85). Substitutes not used: Dudek (gk), Arbeloa, Hyypia, Bellamy.
Referee: B Layec (France).
Liverpool take their lead from Gerrard the history-maker
PSV Eindhoven 0 Liverpool 3
James Ducker in Eindhoven
Liverpool marched closer to a second Champions League semi-final in three seasons last night with a resounding 3-0 victory away to PSV Eindhoven. English teams may have suffered at the hands of Ronald Koeman in recent years, but the chances of the PSV and former Benfica coach claiming another scalp all but disappeared at the Philips Stadion as the Dutch league leaders were comprehensively outplayed.
Liverpool will welcome PSV to Anfield for the second leg of their quarter-final a week today with every confidence about progressing to the last four, where Chelsea or Valencia, who play their first leg this evening, will lie in wait.
Steven Gerrard surpassed Ian Rush as Liverpool’s top scorer in the European Cup and its successor with his fifteenth goal in his 50th Champions League game, while Jamie Carragher made his 58th appearance in the competition, a club record.
The only sour note on another triumphant European night for Liverpool and Rafael BenÍtez, their manager, came when Fábio Aurélio was taken off on a stretcher with a ruptured Achilles. The Brazilian will undergo a scan today but he is almost certain to be ruled out for the rest of the season and possibly much longer.
Gerrard’s header broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, John Arne Riise added a spectacular second goal and Peter Crouch completed the rout with his fourth in two games. “It was a bit embarrassing, to be honest,” Gerrard said of breaking Rush’s record. “He was someone I watched as a kid and I never dreamt I would be breaking any of his records. I don’t think I will break any more. I am flattered but it is not important to me. Hopefully we can go all the way in the competition.”
Koeman said that he “wouldn’t belong on this planet” if he thought PSV, heavily depleted by injuries, could overcome a three-goal deficit at Anfield, but BenÍtez struck a cautious note. “You must be careful,” the Liverpool manager said. “There is no room for complacency. We must approach the second leg seriously. It was a really good performance, but we are disappointed with the injury to Fábio. It seems serious.
“We broke some records and that is very positive for the club and the players. We want to see Stevie scoring goals and Carra breaking records.
“We are closer now [to the semi-final] but in football you need to play every game with people focused. This team is better than the one that won the Champions League [in 2005]. It’s another year, another competition, but hopefully we’ll go through.”
Among those cheering on Liverpool was George Gillett Jr, their new co-owner. BenÍtez has been told that money will be no object in his attempts to build a team capable of winning the Barclays Premiership, although as Gillett witnessed, the Spaniard does not seem to have any trouble forging a winning side in Europe.
Liverpool’s confidence for the second leg was reflected by the fact that Dirk Kuyt, their Holland forward, having already been cautioned twice in the competition this season, seemed to get himself booked in the second half.
Having escaped a caution for a foul, Kuyt appeared deliberately to obstruct a free kick and was shown a yellow card, which means he will sit out the second leg against PSV and not run the risk of missing the first leg of the semi-final. “That may be a positive,” BenÍtez said.
Brilliant Gerrard dismantles Dutch
By Henry Winter in Eindhoven
Last Updated: 1:14am BST 04/04/2007
PSV Eindhoven (0) 0 Liverpool (1) 3
Steven Gerrard, giving another swashbuckling midweek display, last night broke PSV Eindhoven's hearts and Ian Rush's European Cup record of 14 goals. Gerrard was immense at the Philips Stadium last night, ably assisted by the outstanding Steve Finnan as Liverpool all but booked their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Gerrard headed in the first, John Arne Riise drilled in a sensational second before Peter Crouch applied the coup de grace with Liverpool's third, a towering header. Liverpool may been removed from title contention early this season, but they remain a remarkable force in Europe.
Brilliant Gerrard dismantles Dutch
Captain Marvel: Steven Gerrard ran the show from midfield
Helped by dreadful defending, Rafa Benitez's men were energy personified as they embarrassed PSV to record their largest Champions League win. Gerrard charged about, Finnan delivered some superb passes, while Javier Mascherano anchored diligently alongside the influential Xabi Alonso.
Completely in tune with Benitez's game-plan, all of Liverpool's players shone, with Jamie Carragher again excelling at the back, dealing comfortably with what minimal threat PSV could conjure up, and almost scoring early on.
The only dark moment on a glittering night for Liverpool was the ruptured Achilles that has ended Fabio Aurelio's season.
Before Gerrard injected some class into proceedings with his magnificent header shortly before the half-hour mark, there had been little to seize the imagination. With two of the world's leading holding midfielders on view, a cagey opening was inevitable as Phillip Cocu and Mascherano patrolled effortlessly in front of the back-fours of PSV and Liverpool respectively. Little moved without their permission.
But the super-charged engine that Gerrard was beginning to build up steam, slowly injecting life into the game, and soon masterminding the humiliation of Ronald Koeman's hosts. PSV did not know what hit them from the 27th minute to the 63rd when Liverpool pushed themselves to within touching distance of the semi-finals.
It was Gerrard who began the dismantling of the Dutch, increasing the workload on Cocu. PSV's cpatain was increasingly busy trying to put fires started by Gerrard, protecting a defence patently missing the commanding presence of Alex, the injured centre-half who had evicted Arsenal. Espying PSV's central weakness without Alex, Liverpool began crossing from either flank.
The threat emanated from the left first. When Gerrard swung in a 16th-minute corner, one man wanted to reach it first: Carragher, all strength and determination. On the day that he broke the club record of 57 European Cup appearances held by Phil Neal, Carragher showed why he has matured into such an outstanding footballer.
PSV were caught napping as Carragher rose menacingly, his forehead connecting meatily with the ball, sending it speeding goalwards. Just as the Liverpool fans were leaping up in celebration, the brilliant Gomes flung himself to his left to push the ball away. When ambitious clubs next hunt a high-class keeper, PSV's Brazilian will be a primary target.
But when Liverpool came calling next, Gomes had no chance. Again PSV desperately missed Alex, yet a midfielder should have picked up Gerrard's 27th-minute run. Koeman's scouting reports must have highlighted Gerrard's goal threat from the deep, whether through piledriver strike or emphatic header. A tape of the 2005 European Cup final and 2006 FA Cup would have provided enough warning.
But when Finnan's enticing cross flew in from the right, PSV froze, ignoring the danger galloping towards them in the shape of Liverpool's No 8. Meeting Finnan's gift with power and timing, Gerrard headed it irresistibly past Gomes. A third of the game gone and Liverpool were all heads and tails up.
The Dutch League leaders hinted at retribution, primarily through angled balls over the top of Liverpool's full-backs, but when Jan Kromkamp drilled in a fine cross against his former colleagues, Carragher snuffed out the threat of Jefferson Farfan.
Deprived of the pace of the injured Arouna Kone, PSV's polyglot attack was largely pedestrian in the first half. Farfan, the Peruvian international drifted left with the Brazilian Diego Tardelli flickering down the right while the far-from-flying Finn, Mika Vayrynen, attempted to impose his lightweight frame on Carragher. Ambitious.
If PSV's defending had been of Sunday League quality on occasions before half-time, it proved pure schoolboy stuff four minutes after the re-start. Following a break by Gerrard, PSV managed to reclaim possession and promptly returned it to Liverpool.
The culprit was Timmy Simons defending with all the conviction of Timmy Mallett. Miscuing his clearance straight to Riise, Simons could only watch in horror as the Norwegian returned it with added interest, the ball accelerating 30 yards past poor Gomes.
Again, one shuddered to think whether Koeman's players had read the scouting report on their guests. Do not let Gerrard run towards the box without someone tracking him. Do not give Riise a free hit with his sledgehammer left foot.
And do not allow Crouch a header at goal. Following his weekend pyrotechnics against Arsenal, crouch had retained his place ahead of Craig Bellamy and he vindicated Benitez's decision after 63 minutes. Again Finnan's right foot proved a useful creative weapon, lifting the ball over for Crouch to head past Gomes.
Match details
PSV Eindhoven (4-1-2-3): Gomes; Kromkamp (Feher, 67), Da Costa, Simons, Salcido; Cocu; Mendez (Kluivert, 50), Culina; Tardelli, Vayrynen, Farfan (Sun Xiang, h-t).
Subs: Moens (g), Kluivert, Addo, Marcellis.
Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Fabio Aurelio; Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Riise (Zenden, 65); Crouch (Pennant, 84), Kuyt.
Subs: Dudek (g), Arbeloa, Hyypia, Gonzalez, Pennant, Bellamy.
Booked: Mascherano.
Referee: B Layec (France).
Liverpool in total control
By John Ley in Eindhoven
Last Updated: 1:14am BST 04/04/2007
Have your say Read comments
Match report: Brilliant Gerrard dismantles Dutch
In pics: Champions League quarter-finals
Football fans' forum
Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool to a magnificent 3-0 victory in the Champions League quarter-final first leg last night but warned against complacency in next week’s return. Although Gerrard put his team on course with a record 15th goal for Liverpool in the Europe’s top competition, he refused to discuss possible opponents in the semi-finals.
Asked whether he would prefer to face Valencia or Chelsea in the last four, the Liverpool captain said: “We’re not worrying about that yet. We just want to finish it off. We want to be professional and just worry about the next 90 minutes. Once we got the first goal it was a case of carrying on. We’re hard to break down and we made them pay on the counter-attack.”
On beating Ian Rush’s European scoring record, Gerrard added: “It was a bit embarrassing to be honest. He was someone I watched as a kid and I never dreamt I would be breaking any of his records. I am flattered.’’
Manager Rafael Benitez said: ''This team is better than the one that won the Champions League two years ago but we need to play one more game yet.”
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However, his PSV counterpart Ronald Koeman said one would have to be ''from another planet’’ to think his side could salvage the tie at Anfield next Wedneday. The only downside for Liverpool was an injury to Fabio Aurelio, who suffered a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon.
Captain has the power to keep Liverpool fully switched on
By John Ley
Last Updated: 1:14am BST 04/04/2007
Match report: Brilliant Gerrard dismantles Dutch
Quotes: Liverpool in total control | In pics: Champions League quarter-finals
Football fans' forum
In a city made famous for its light-bulb production - tourists can visit the Philips factory - it was easy to imagine a cartoon electric light hanging over the head of Rafael Benitez as he pondered ways of spending the estimated £40 million promised by new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett for new signings.
As the best midfielder England has to offer dived to head home the goal that should confirm Liverpool's passage into their second Champions League semi-final in three years, the Liverpool manager might have thought: "Why not use the money to keep Steven Gerrard at the club for life?"
Gerrard signed a new deal two years ago after rejecting two overtures from Chelsea and Gillett, who was present at the Philips Stadion, will perhaps consider it better to protect the gem he has rather than gamble on bringing in players from outside.
Whenever Liverpool are in trouble they call on their captain. On that unforgettable night in Istanbul, it was Gerrard who scored one goal and won the penalty that saw his side restore parity in the Champions League final before winning the penalty shoot-out. And when, in last season's FA Cup final, Liverpool were heading for defeat to West Ham it was Gerrard again who supplied two goals to take the game to extra time and another successful penalty shoot-out.
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Cue Gerrard again last night when, after a listless start, he launched himself forward to power in Steve Finnan's cross. Add his ability to boss a game and you have the key to Liverpool's future.
Further evidence last night suggested that, if changes are required to transform Liverpool from Champions League qualifiers into title winners, it is in attack. It is no coincidence that the first two goals came from midfield. John Arne Riise is another who has provided goals consistently and his stunning strike early in the second half only served to confirm Liverpool's superiority. By the time Peter Crouch headed the third, PSV had surrendered. That Liverpool are 21 points adrift of Premiership leaders Manchester United is down to a woeful start and a lack of goals, particularly away from home. That problem is even more perplexing given that they boast some of the best strikers England and Wales have available plus Holland's emerging Dirk Kuyt and the ageing Robbie Fowler.
Striker Andriy Voronin, a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, arrives in the summer but Benitez knows he requires more power up front.
David Villa, the Sevilla striker, Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o and Fernando Torres, captain at Atletico Madrid, are in the Anfield pending tray.
Even if Liverpool replicate their night of Turkish delight, the long-term future depends on bringing in new blood in attack and the guarantee that Gerrard remains at Anfield.
Benítez proud as Liverpool come close to perfection
The manager warns against complacency in second leg but admits this team is better than 2005 winners
Stuart James at the Philips Stadium
Wednesday April 4, 2007
The Guardian
It was difficult not to agree with Peter Crouch's assessment that Liverpool are "peaking at the right time" after Liverpool's crushing 3-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven, although the confidence generated by a result that all but guarantees the Premiership club's place into the Champions League semi-finals will be tempered by the realisation that far more demanding opponents await. PSV Eindhoven were dreadful.
Rafael Benítez and Steven Gerrard both warned against complacency in the second leg but the visitors' performance was so commanding that the normally reserved Liverpool manager claimed there was little room for improvement. "We knew what to do and that was the key for me," said the Spaniard. "We knew they had problems. We had to do the right things and profit from their mistakes. To score three goals and to get a clean sheet is almost perfect."
The only sour note for Benítez was an injury to Fabio Aurelio which looks likely to bring his season to a premature end. There was nobody near the Liverpool left-back when he collapsed to the ground clutching his achilles tendon. He was taken from the field on a stretcher and will have a scan this morning after leaving the ground on crutches. Benítez fears the worst. "It's an achilles tendon injury," said the Liverpool manager. "Normally this injury is really serious."
The Spaniard was more upbeat about his side's display. For all his caution - "we must be careful and approach the second game seriously" - a semi-final against Chelsea or Valencia beckons, evoking memories of their journey to Istanbul and that memorable final against Milan two years ago. "This team is better than the team that won the Champions League," claimed Benítez. "We have got to play one more game and after I hope the semi-final."
Ronald Koeman had declared beforehand that 0-0 "would be a good result" and that lack of ambition was evident throughout. Gerrard, outstanding again, put Liverpool ahead in the 28th minute with a bullet header set up by Steve Finnan and from then on the only challenge the visitors faced was the margin of victory they pursued. John Arne Riise propelled a 35-yard shot into the top corner before Crouch headed in a third, his fourth goal in as many days.
The emphatic scoreline prompted Koeman to concede afterwards that his side, hindered through the loss of several key players, had no chance of overcoming the deficit when they travel to Anfield in a week's time. "It doesn't give us any possibility to go into the next round," admitted the PSV manager. "I think it's not realistic to think we can win [at Liverpool]. If I could make [the players] believe they could still get into the next round I don't belong on this planet."
That might be the case but Liverpool will not treat the second leg as a non-event despite their comprehensive win here. "We are just concentrating on finishing them off," said Gerrard. "We want to be professional in our jobs and worry about the next 90 minutes." The Liverpool captain had provided the impetus for this win, his first-half goal taking his tally in the Champions League to 15, one more than Ian Rush managed in the European Cup.
"I am a bit embarrassed," said Gerrard, who was also making his 50th appearance in the Champions League. "He's someone I watched as a kid and I never dreamt I would break one of his records - I don't think I will be breaking any of his other ones. I am flattered but it's not really important to me. What's important is how well the team is doing. It was a really good performance and hopefully we can go all the way."
Jamie Carragher also reached a new landmark, his 58th appearance in the Champions League surpassing Phil Neal's record. "We broke some records and that's very positive," said Benítez. "We want to see Stevie scoring goals, Carry playing a lot of games and the team winning."
Victory was never in doubt from the moment Gerrard scored, Liverpool taking advantage of PSV's negative tactics to dominate a match that was watched by George Gillett, one half of the club's new American owners. Indeed the victory was so comfortable that Dirk Kuyt, already on a yellow card, needlessly encroached on a free-kick late on to ensure he picked up a booking that means he will be suspended for the return leg at Anfield but available for the semi-finals.
Liverpool could not have imagined a smoother passage into the last four. "We came here not to concede and to get a goal," said Crouch. "To get three is even better. I don't know if it's about rotation but perhaps we are peaking at the right time."
PSV Eindhoven 0 Liverpool 3: Gerrard leads destruction of Dutch on champion night for Liverpool
By Phil Shaw at the Philips Stadion
Published: 04 April 2007
Three-goal leads are no guarantee of success, as Liverpool proved in the Champions League final of 2005. But their defeat of PSV Eindhoven was so emphatic, and the opposition so mediocre, that even Ronald Koeman will struggle to muster a cunning plan to deny Rafa Benitez's team a place in the semi-finals a week tonight.
On a night of landmarks, the victory was Liverpool's biggest on their travels in the Champions League proper, and it should concern Chelsea or Valencia, who await the winners of this tie, that they have lost just twice in their last 16 European trips.
Steven Gerrard overhauled the total of 14 goals scored by Ian Rush when the competition was still the European Cup, while Jamie Carragher almost joined the spree as he broke Phil Neal's club record of 57 appearances in the tournament.
The advantage secured by Gerrard's first-half header was doubled by John Arne Riise shortly after half-time, and it fell to Peter Crouch to put the seal on a hugely assured collective performance with a header late on. PSV, conquerors of Arsenal, were reduced to an exercise in damage-limitation.
There was a down side to Liverpool's triumph, however. Fabio Aurelio, their Brazilian left-back, damaged an Achilles tendon in the closing stages, collapsing to the turf as he played the ball with no PSV player nearby. The Liverpool manager fears that Aurelio will take no further part in the season.
Dirk Kuyt will be suspended for the return match, but even that apparent blot on Liverpool's landscape compounded the feeling of satisfaction as they returned to Merseyside. By encroaching at a free-kick in the closing minutes, the Netherlands striker provoked a booking to ensure that he sits out the formality of the second leg rather than risk being banned for one of the semi-final fixtures.
PSV were already crippled by injury and saw Jefferson Farfan extend the list with a hamstring problem that means he will also be absent at Anfield. Koeman, the scourge of English clubs with Benfica and PSV over the past two seasons, conceded that the result left no scope for the Dutch champions to advance. "From the second goal onwards," he said, "it was clear that Liverpool were just too good for us."
Benitez, returning to his pre-match warnings against complacency, refused to accept, at least publicly, that progress was inevitable.
"We must approach the match seriously and see what happens," he said. Yet such a display merited praise and he supplied it succinctly, saying: "To score three and keep a clean sheet is almost perfect."
Gerrard insisted the players were "not worried" about who they took on for a place in the final in Athens. "We just need to be professional, finish the job and worry about the next 90 minutes," said the Liverpool captain. For his part, Crouch believed Liverpool were peaking at the right time, possibly because of Benitez's policy of rotating players. He added: "To win 3-0 away anywhere in Europe is fantastic."
PSV were initially well-organised, but it was soon evident that they were missing the aerial power of the injured Alex, the Brazilian defender leased from Chelsea. Gerrard's 23rd-minute corner picked out Carragher unmarked six yards from goal, but his hopes of a rare goal were dashed when Gomes swooped to his left to save.
PSV retaliated when a deep cross by Jan Kromkamp, the former Liverpool right-back, reached Mika Vayrynen. His goalbound volley struck Carragher and went for a corner, from which the veteran Phillip Cocu headed narrowly wide.
The sparring came to an end when Liverpool landed the first blow in the 27th minute. A neat interchange along their right flank between Javier Mascherano and Steve Finnan led to the defender crossing for Gerrard to climb above Kuyt and head in from 12 yards.
The England vice-captain had equalled Liverpool's individual scoring record of 14 goals in the 2-0 home win over PSV earlier in the competition. The teams had drawn 0-0 here - a good result for visitors in the group stage yet not necessarily one they would have wished to take back to Anfield given the threat of an away goal.
Spring may no longer have been in the air, the sunshine that had greeted Liverpool's arrival on Monday having been replaced by a cold snap, but the spring in their step brought a second goal three minutes after half-time.
Sloppy defending had already provided Xabi Alonso with two half-chances. Timmy Simons, under no pressure, then hooked his clearance straight to Riise, who took a touch to control the ball and powered forward before volleying it with the outside of his left beyond Gomes from 25 yards.
Cocu tried gamely to hold PSV together, but Liverpool's authority was absolute, with Carragher strolling through his milestone match and Jose Reina a virtual spectator. Their confidence was epitomised by Alonso's attempt to add to his portfolio of long-range goals, only for his 45-yard chipped shot to drift wide.
The third goal arrived shortly after the hour mark. The largely unsung Finnan was again the supplier, his centre from the right being met by a towering header from Crouch. In this city built on its electronic industry, the scoreboard flashed up "1-2", and then reverted to "0-2". For Koeman and PSV, that was so much wishful thinking.
Indeed, the PSV manager refused to indulge in any hope of a reversal of fortunes at Anfield. "It is impossible now to go to Anfield and make out a case for reaching the next round," he said. "If I tried to find a reason to believe that, I would be from another planet.
"We played well until they scored their first. Then we started to give Steve Finnan too much freedom and we started to make mistakes.
"From then on it was clear that Liverpool were too strong for us. It is not realistic to think that we can win the tie now."
PSV Eindhoven (4-1-2-3): Gomes; Kromkamp (Feher, 68), Da Costa, Simons, Salcido; Cocu; Mendez (Kluivert, 51), Culina; Diego Tardelli, Vayrynen, Farfan (Sun Xiang, 45). Substitutes not used: Moens (gk), Addo, Marcellis.
Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio (Gonzalez, 75); Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Riise (Zenden, 65); Kuyt, Crouch (Pennant, 85). Substitutes not used: Dudek (gk), Arbeloa, Hyypia, Bellamy.
Referee: B Layec (France).
Liverpool take their lead from Gerrard the history-maker
PSV Eindhoven 0 Liverpool 3
James Ducker in Eindhoven
Liverpool marched closer to a second Champions League semi-final in three seasons last night with a resounding 3-0 victory away to PSV Eindhoven. English teams may have suffered at the hands of Ronald Koeman in recent years, but the chances of the PSV and former Benfica coach claiming another scalp all but disappeared at the Philips Stadion as the Dutch league leaders were comprehensively outplayed.
Liverpool will welcome PSV to Anfield for the second leg of their quarter-final a week today with every confidence about progressing to the last four, where Chelsea or Valencia, who play their first leg this evening, will lie in wait.
Steven Gerrard surpassed Ian Rush as Liverpool’s top scorer in the European Cup and its successor with his fifteenth goal in his 50th Champions League game, while Jamie Carragher made his 58th appearance in the competition, a club record.
The only sour note on another triumphant European night for Liverpool and Rafael BenÍtez, their manager, came when Fábio Aurélio was taken off on a stretcher with a ruptured Achilles. The Brazilian will undergo a scan today but he is almost certain to be ruled out for the rest of the season and possibly much longer.
Gerrard’s header broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, John Arne Riise added a spectacular second goal and Peter Crouch completed the rout with his fourth in two games. “It was a bit embarrassing, to be honest,” Gerrard said of breaking Rush’s record. “He was someone I watched as a kid and I never dreamt I would be breaking any of his records. I don’t think I will break any more. I am flattered but it is not important to me. Hopefully we can go all the way in the competition.”
Koeman said that he “wouldn’t belong on this planet” if he thought PSV, heavily depleted by injuries, could overcome a three-goal deficit at Anfield, but BenÍtez struck a cautious note. “You must be careful,” the Liverpool manager said. “There is no room for complacency. We must approach the second leg seriously. It was a really good performance, but we are disappointed with the injury to Fábio. It seems serious.
“We broke some records and that is very positive for the club and the players. We want to see Stevie scoring goals and Carra breaking records.
“We are closer now [to the semi-final] but in football you need to play every game with people focused. This team is better than the one that won the Champions League [in 2005]. It’s another year, another competition, but hopefully we’ll go through.”
Among those cheering on Liverpool was George Gillett Jr, their new co-owner. BenÍtez has been told that money will be no object in his attempts to build a team capable of winning the Barclays Premiership, although as Gillett witnessed, the Spaniard does not seem to have any trouble forging a winning side in Europe.
Liverpool’s confidence for the second leg was reflected by the fact that Dirk Kuyt, their Holland forward, having already been cautioned twice in the competition this season, seemed to get himself booked in the second half.
Having escaped a caution for a foul, Kuyt appeared deliberately to obstruct a free kick and was shown a yellow card, which means he will sit out the second leg against PSV and not run the risk of missing the first leg of the semi-final. “That may be a positive,” BenÍtez said.