Liverpool are through to the knockout stages of the Champions League after a Steven Gerrard header secured a 1-0 win over Marseille at Anfield. The Reds skipper powered home the only goal of the game midway through the first-half to ensure Rafael Benitez's side of a place in the last 16 and give his manager the honour of equalling Bob Paisley's record of 39 wins in Europe. - Group D table -

It means Liverpool remain just behind Atletico Madrid, on goal difference, and will go into Matchday Six hoping to clinch top spot and avoid the prospect of facing a seeded team in the second round draw.

On a night that also saw Benitez surpass Bill Shankly's record of 65 European matches in charge, it was fitting that one of the only two remaining players on show from his first game against Grazer AK back in 2004, got the winner.
Skipper Steven Gerrard, who had missed the goalless draw with Fulham at the weekend through injury, returned to the starting line-up with a bang when he nodded in his eighth of the season on 23 minutes.

The midfield maestro was left unmarked at the far post to power home Xabi Alonso's searching cross and mark the week of his 10th anniversary in the first-team in style.

Prior to that, it had been a somewhat subdued affair. A typical burst from Fernando Torres was the highlight, with the Spaniard racing down the right flank and crossing for Dirk Kuyt to test Steve Mandanda with a firm header from eight yards.

To their credit, Marseille responded in a positive manner and Pepe Reina was left breathing a huge sigh of relief when Ronald Zubar guided a header past the post after the Reds stopper missed his punch at a right-wing corner.

Albert Riera then stung the fingertips of Mandanda with a fierce drive from the edge of the area as the Reds finished the first 45 in the ascendancy.

However, the second period began with the visitors probing for the equaliser and Mamadou Niang twice forced Reina into action with shots from distance.

The Reds were struggling to maintain possession for any length of time and Erik Gerets' men were unlucky not to level just after the hour mark when no-one was on hand to provide the finishing touch to Hatem Ben Arfa's terrific run and cross.

The French outfit were beginning to stretch the Liverpool defence and the Tunisian-born star was at the heart of all their best moves.

First his sizzling free-kick forced a magnificent save out of Reina before both Kuyt and substitute Andrea Dossena kept the away side at bay with last-ditch tackles.

Liverpool were largely subdued as an attacking force and, although a second goal would have calmed the nerves and marked our 300th strike in the European Cup, one was ultimately enough to ensure we will be still be playing Champions League football come the New Year.


- Match stats:

Liverpool F.C: Reina, Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio (Dossena 46’), Carragher, Agger, Mascherano, Alonso, Riera (Benayoun 63’), Kuyt (Leiva 84’), Gerrard, Torres.

O. Marsella: Mandanda, Bonnart (Samassa 89’), Ziani, Hilton, Taiwo, Ben Arfa, Cheyrou, Cana, Zubar, Kone (Valbuena 77’), Niang.

Bookings: Niang 83’, Mascherano 84’

Goals:

0-1 (23’) Gerrard.


Text & photos by www.liverpoolfc.tv