Reds ease into last four
11 Apr 2007 - 21:54:49
Liverpool set up a mouth-watering Champions League last four meeting with Chelsea after coasting to a regulation 1-0 quarter-final victory over ten-man PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
Peter Crouch picked up where he left off in Holland last week with the only goal of the game after 67 minutes to wrap up a comprehensive 4-0 aggregate scoreline for Rafael Benitez's side.
The England striker had been the third and final scorer in a comfortable 3-0 win in Eindhoven eight days ago which all but confirmed Liverpool's progression into the semi-finals.
That result allowed Benitez the luxury of ringing the changes for the visit of a side still shorn of a number of their own most influential players.
The Spaniard opted to rest the likes of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Steve Finnan and Javier Mascherano, while Dirk Kuyt was suspended.
But despite the weakened line-up, Liverpool never looked like conceding an inch in the tie and perhaps should have won by a greater margin on the night.
Jose Reina had to palm away a close-range Jefferson Farfan header in the opening minutes, but that was the first and last time the visitors offered a threat all night.
Liverpool suffered a blow in the 15th minute when Craig Bellamy was stretchered off after appearing to tweak knee ligaments when blocking a cross.
But, despite losing the Wales international, the home side responded and could have taken a 26th minute lead when Heurelho Gomes palmed away a Crouch volley after the striker wrapped his foot around a Jermaine Pennant cross.
Boudewijn Zenden was inches away from crashing home a 25-yard free-kick on the stroke of half-time, but the match turned on the 64th minute sending off of Dirk Marcellis.
The young debutant was given his marching orders in harsh circumstances by referee Roberto Rosetti for a high tackle on Zenden and three minutes later Liverpool took the lead.
John Arne Riise delivered a superb low cross from the left which Carlos Salcido diverted goalwards and, after Gomes saved from his own defender, Robbie Fowler squared for Crouch who tapped the ball home with ease.
Crouch could have doubled his and Liverpool's advantage in the 80th minute but header over the bar, while Pennant was denied by Gomes who produced a top-class double save in the closing stages as Liverpool coasted to the win which sets up a semi-final meeting with Chelsea which begins on April 25.