Champions League round-up

Classy Reds through; Real and Olympiakos progress; Schalke joy

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 11th December 2007

Champions League round-up

Torres: Stunning strike

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Liverpool completed their UEFA Champions League great escape with a comprehensive victory over Marseille at the Stade Velodrome.

Written off after gaining just one point from their opening three matches, Rafa Benitez's side roared back with successive victories over Besiktas, Porto and in France, scoring 16 goals in the process.

Early strikes from Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres set the Anfield outfit on their way before Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel made sure of qualification behind Group A winners Porto, who overcame Besiktas.

Real Madrid and Olympiakos emerged from the equally tight Group C shake-up with respective victories over Lazio and Werder Bremen.

And Schalke produced some incisive attacking football to see off the challenge of Rosenborg, ending the Norwegian minnows' dreams as they were forced to settle for a Uefa Cup berth.

The German side joined Group B winners Chelsea in the last 16 as Avram Grant's side ended their programme with a 0-0 home draw against Valencia.

Dream start

Liverpool made a dream start against Marseille with just four minutes on the clock to silence the jumping Stade Velodrome as Gael Givet brought down Steven Gerrard as he broke into the box.

The Reds skipper stepped up to take responsibility, and although Steve Mandanda made an impressive save, Gerrard made no mistake as he blasted home the rebound.

And it was 2-0 just seven minutes later after a goal of the very highest quality from £20million summer signing Torres.

Harry Kewell found the Spain international and he ghosted between three Marseille defenders before producing the classiest of finishes into the bottom corner.

A poor clearance from Mandanda allowed Kewell and Torres to play in Kuyt for the third shortly after the interval before Ryan Babel's injury-time fourth made sure Erik Gerets' side were dumped into the Uefa Cup.

Porto qualified as Group A winners with Lucho Gonzalez's somewhat comical goal just before the interval setting them on their way against Besiktas.

Ricardo Quaresma's corner eventually found Tarik Sektioui who the visitors felt was in an offside position, but as they hesitated the Moroccan found Lucho Gonzalez who made no mistake.

The Turks tried to hit back after the break but were undone by a Porto counter-attack just after the hour mark, Lisandro Lopez setting Quaresma free for an assured finish.

Real delight

Real Madrid banished any lingering fears of a group stage elimination as they raced into a 3-0 half-time lead against Lazio thanks to an inspirational display from Robinho.

The Brazilian set up compatriot Julio Baptista for the opening goal after just 13 minutes and then provided the corner from which veteran striker Raul nodded home soon afterwards.

And Robinho deservedly added his own name to the scoresheet shortly before the interval, firing home from close range after good work from Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Lazio did hit back in the closing stages through Goran Pandev but it was all too little, too late for the Serie A side.

Olympiakos joined the Spanish giants in the knockout stage, leaving Werder Bremen with the scant consolation of a Uefa Cup berth.

Former Portsmouth and Newcastle forward Lomana LuaLua found Ieroklis Stoltidis who drilled a low shot beyond Tim Wiese after just 12 minutes.

Bremen can count themselves very unlucky as they produced much of the game's good football, but were unable to find a way past Antonios Nikopolidis in the home goal.

The Greek side grabbed a second on the break with 20 minutes remaining through Darko Kovacevic before Stoltidis added his second and Olympiakos' third.

Scintillating Schalke

A breathtaking first-half display from Schalke saw them leap above Rosenborg into second place behind Group B winners Chelsea.

The German side produced some scintillating football to cut the Norwegians apart with Gerald Asamoah, Rafinha and Kevin Kuranyi all beating Lars Hirschfeld before the interval.

Yssouf Kone briefly gave the Norwegian minnows, who only needed a point, hope of qualification as he brought it back to 2-1, but Trond Henriksen's men will now have to focus on the Uefa Cup.

Chelsea, who had already secured top spot in the group, ended their campaign with 0-0 home draw against Valencia.

Salomon Kalou hit the bar when it appeared easier to score and also had an effort ruled out for offside, while Joe Cole saw his late effort pushed onto the post by Santiago Canizares.