The outcome in the match mirrors the teams’ recent form in the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool advancing to the quarterfinals in the last three seasons while Real Madrid has failed to make it out of the Round of 16 in their last five tournaments. TO make the result even more difficult for Los Merengues to swallow, this was the greatest margin of defeat for the La Liga side in this competition.

Liverpool started fast and could have easily been up in the first five minutes if it were not for Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Casillas made two great saves to deny Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano in the opening moments.

Torres finally broke through for the opening goal in the 16th minute. The Spanish international combined with Dutch international Dirk Kuyt before slotting home.

The Reds kept the pressure on and it paid off in the 28th minute when Gabriel Heinze was called for a hand ball in the box setting up Gerrard’s first goal of the match from the penalty spot.

The halftime break did not slow down the attack and the home side was up by 3 less than two minutes into the second period. Real Madrid’s defense broke down allowing Gerrard to half volley in a Ryan Babel cross.

Andrea Dossena finished off Real while opening his Liverpool account with his 88th minute goal.

(soccer365.com)