Massacre at Anfield - Liverpool 8-0 Besiktas

The setting: Rafa benitez's 50th European game in charge of Liverpool. Liverpool has managed to pull just one point out of 9 in the last three champions league games and Benitez is the man under fire for his obscure team selection. Even a draw and Liverpool are out of Champions league. But spirit is high at Anfield. Liverpool's new American owners have got the go-ahead from the local council to build a 60000 stadium at Stanley Park. Peter Crouch gets his chance on the frontline after months of warming the bench. Also, key central defender of Besiktas, Gokhan Zan is out with a injury.

The heroes:

Yossi Benayoun 31',52',55': Riise releases Voronin down the left. Voronin's cross to the center and Yossi Benayoun has an easy time putting it in. Benayoun's second goal, it's voronin-riise-Benayoun again. Arikan parries off Riise's shot and Benayoun finishes from six yards for Liverpool's third goal. Benayoun's third goal came 2 minutes after the second. Voronin is in it again. Voronin is fouled on the edge of the box, Steven Gerrard takes the free kick and it is too powerful for Arikan to hold. Benayoun finishes fron close-up once again.

Ryan Babel 78',80': Comes in on the 62th minute for Fabio Aurelio. Benayoun crosses low from the right, a clever back heel and it's Liverpool's goal six. Babel deflects in the seventh off Ibrahim Uzulmez's clearance. Babel misses a hat-trick by a whisker as his header comes off the cross-bar.

Peter Crouch 18',88': Voronin prods a pass through the middle to Crouch. Crouch forces his way between two defenders and takes the shot, only to see Arikan block it. Crouch follows up for his second only goal of the season. Benayoun's cross and Peter Crouch finishes off the game with a header.

Steven Gerard 68': It is Voronin's day. Voronin plays Gerrard in a fine one-two and Gerrard scores with a dipping drive. Arikan has no clue where the ball is.

What follows?

Liverpool still have to win the remaining two games against Marseilles and Porto to go through to the next round. But confidence is one thing they won't be short of.

Liverpool's next fixture:

Liverpool - Porto 28 November 2007 Anfield