Liverpool booked their place in the UEFA Champions League knock-out stage on Tuesday after beating hosts Marseille 4-0. Captain Steven Gerrard put Liverpool ahead as early as the fourth minute before Fernando Torres gave last season's finalists a breathing space seven minutes later. Substitute Dirk Kuyt stretched the lead three minutes into the second period and Ryan Babel put the icing on the cake deep into the injury time. The victory put Liverpool in second place of Group A with 10 points, one behind leaders Porto, who beat Besiktas 2-0. Marseille, who ended the group stage in third pace with seven points, will move on to play in the UEFA Cup. Billed as a must-win game, Liverpool started in explosive style and Gerrard broke free after just four minutes, forcing Gael Givet to bring him down inside the area. The England midfielder stepped up to deliver the spot-kick and although his initial effort was blocked by keeper Steve Mandanda, Gerrard poked home on the rebound. Torres gave the French side no time to gather themselves as he rounded a defender before curling the ball home in the 11th minute.
Porto Kuyt added the third in the 48th minute when he controlled Harry Kewell's pass before sending the ball past Mandanda. Babel went one-on-one with Mandanda, sidestepped him and buried the ball into an empty net in the 91st minute. Porto Win Lucho Gonzalez scored a debatable goal as Porto ensured finishing the group stage on top with victory over Besiktas. The visitors froze as they claimed Tarek Sektioui was offside when he received the ball inside the area. But the referee waved the play on only for the Moroccan to pass the ball for Gonzalez, who poked home. In the 62nd minute, Ricardo Quaresma sealed the triumph when he swept home past Rustu.
