Liverpool vs Benfica, 2nd Leg Benfica win 3-0 on aggregate

Liverpool bow out of Europe ratehr meekly in the end. Their fine first half performance was followed by a very average showing in the second persiod and they paid the price for their pfoligacy in front of goal. It is a problem that Benitez will have to address if any sort of challenge is to be mounted on the Premiership next season. Whether or not he will be the man who leads that challenge remains to be seen. A huge anticlimax after last year's heroic efforts by his team.

FULL TIME

Another corner from Liverpool is headed wide for another Liverpool corner. Benfica have dealt well with the aerial threat posed by the home team.

The crowd are attempting to sing their way through their disappointment but they will go home tonight concerned about the future.

Benfica break up the park and Simao links well with Miccoli who, at the second attempt, hits a volley in to Reina's goal. The score line flatters the visitors.

GOAL

A great cushioned header from Fowler allows Gerrard to race in to BEnfica;s penalty area. he then wrongfoots the Benfica defence before hitting a smart low shot which just drifts wide. A good move but it sums up Liverpool's efforts all night long.

Moretto is awarded another free kick after Hamman flicks the ball in Crouch's direction and the big Liverpool striker brushes against the Brazilian keeper. Who looks rather embarrassed to be give the decision.

Although Liverpool have been their own worst enemies up front, the Benfica defence have been strong all night.

Ooooh. From a Liverpool corner the ball is headed in to the Benfica net, but the ball was adjudged to have swung out of play as the corner was taken. And the man who scored the disallowed goal? Step forward Mr Robbie Fowler.

The songs of the Benfica fans are all that can be heard around Anfield now. The crowd know that their European dream is over for this season.

Cisse hits a ball in to Fowler and is then presented with the ball again before attempting a frankly pathetic 'cross' which goes straight out of play.

Liverpool have a free kick in a dangerous area but Gerrard hits it just over Moretto's bar.

Nuno Gomes is replaced by Miccoli.

Another Liverpool corner after Cisse attacks down the right. This time it is Carragher who is presented with a decent headed opportunity from seven yards but he hits it wastefully high over the bar.

Benfica clear the corner a little too comfortably once again. Liverpool are running out of options and, more importantly, time.

Cisse wins yet another corner for Liverpool.

Cisse is knocked over in the Benfica area and despite the loud howls around Anfield, no penalty is given.

The referee has now booked Gerrard as he takes a free kick and I am afraid I have no explanation as to why. Not his first strange deicision tonight.

Fowler is stripping off and is replacing Morientes. Now would be a good time to show the Liverpool fans he can still score (and that when he does, they count. Two disallowed goals in his six games since returning to Anfield).

Crouch just fails to connect with a cross in from the left. He opted to stretch out to reach it with his leg when perhaps he should have launched his lengthy frame at it to execute a wonderful diving header. Well, it's what I wuold have done anyway.

Liverpool have failed to threaten the Benfica goal seriously so far. Fowler surely has to come on soon.

Beto dinks a nice ball over the Liverpool defence and Cisse has to cover back to tackle. Not what he was brought on for really.

Harry Kewell had been replaced by Cisse.

Crouch goes for a high ball with Moretto and the goalkeeper has gone to ground rather theatrically. GET UP.