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Steven Gerrard can’t stop scoring as he nets another priceless winner for Liverpool in their 1-0 Champions League victory over Marseille

Liverpool secured their qualification from Group D via returning captain Steven Gerrard’s first half goal. Marseille largely dominated thereafter, but couldn’t restore parity…

The Liverpool captain’s first-half header from Xabi Alonso’s cross proved enough to secure a victory over opponents who deserved better from a display every bit as spirited as the one that had seen them become the first French club to win at Anfield.

Liverpool welcomed Marseille to Anfield on Matchday 5 of the 2008/09 Champions League hoping to erase memories of their defeat at the hands of the Ligue 1 outfit here last season.

The biggest team news, of course, involved the recovery of Liverpool’s talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard, who shook off a groin injury to take his place in the midfield. Fernando Torres started in something of a lone striker role, with Robbie Keane dropping to the bench and Xabi Alonso replacing Lucas Leiva after the weekend draw with Fulham.

Visitors Marseille were compact and disciplined in the early going, pressing high up the park as the Reds pushed the ball about comfortably. However, too many flicks and delicate balls went astray and the hosts couldn’t produce a final ball.

Rafael Benitez’s men had plenty of width through Albert Riera and Dirk Kuyt and were keen to work the ball from outside to inside in constant waves. It made for a less-than-inspiring encounter till midway through the half, when Mr Champions League himself did what he does best.

Xabi Alonso picked up on the right and his deep cross was powered home by the head of skipper Steven Gerrard, who had ghosted in unmarked at the back post.

The visitors finished the half on the front foot, but time ran out on them. At the interval, Liverpool were going through with Atletico Madrid, with Marseille left to ponder a UEFA Cup dogfight with PSV Eindhoven.

Andrea Dossena came on for Fabio Aurelio at the break as Benitez tinkered slightly. However, les Phocéens were fired up and picked up where they left off.

Despite all the chances, the men in gold were still trailing and heading out. With time starting to tick away, Reina had to look sharp when gathering Ziani’s awkward cross.

Such actions weren’t going to haul Marseille back into the match, of course. They started to commit more and more men forward, but they’d had their chances and the Reds are far too experienced at this level to chuck it away late on.

Thus it finished. Liverpool are though, although they can’t grab top spot until the final Matchday.

“We’ll have a few regrets because we had chances up to the last minute but the only thing that makes me unhappy was the result,” said Marseille coach Erik Gerets. “I was quite happy with the performance. For the first time in a long time, we played as a unit and with the kind of desire that everyone said we were missing.”

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admitted his side had lived dangerously at times. “It was a strange game. We were controlling the game and then we scored and they started to attack us. We were trying to play on the counter attack with Fernando Torres but our final ball was never good enough to hurt them. The game was too open against a team with pace and ability. But the important thing is we won and we are qualified.”

It was a night of milestones for Benitez. His 66th European match in charge of the club eclipsed Bill Shankly’s record while a 39th victory on the European stage saw him draw level with Bob Paisley on that count.

Goals:
Liverpool 1 (Gerrard 23′)

Line-ups:

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio (Dossena 46′), Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt (Leiva Lucas 85′), Gerrard, Riera (Benayoun 63′), Torres.
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Keane, Babel, Kelly.

Booked: Mascherano.

Marseille: Mandanda, Bonnart (Samassa 89′), Zubar, Hilton, Taiwo, Ziani, Cana, Cheyrou, Ben Arfa, Niang, Kone (Valbuena 78′).
Subs Not Used: Riou, Rodriguez, Zenden, Kabore, Grandin.

Booked: Niang.

Ref: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal).

Watch Goals and Highlights of Liverpool vs Marseille:

1st Half

2nd Half