| Liverpool produced a magnificent performance to reach the Champions
League quarter-finals with a 5-0 aggregate defeat of Real Madrid.
In a remarkable first half, Real Madrid were torn to shreds by a
breathtaking attacking display led by Fernando Torres, their arch-enemy
from his Atletico Madrid days.
Torres scored early on, before Steven Gerrard fired home from the
spot.
And had it not been for an outstanding display from Spanish goalkeeper
Iker Casillas, Liverpool would have had a hatful in that first 45
minutes alone.
Gerrard scored a spectacular third seconds after the break to deflate
Madrid further and substitute Andrea Dossena added a fourth with
three minutes to go.
Gerrard struck twice on his 100th European appearance for Liverpool
to secure a quite breathtaking victory, Real were humbled for the
second time in a fortnight by their old boy Rafael Benitez.
If manager Benitez feels he does not get enough respect for his
Champions League achievements at Anfield, this fourth appearance
in the last eight in five years will go a long way to gaining him
the credit he craves.
|
