EINDHOVEN, Netherlands -- Liverpool dominated PSV Eindhoven to win 3-0 in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg on Tuesday and virtually guarantee a place in the semis against either Chelsea or Valencia.
Liverpool took the lead after 27 minutes when Steve Finnan broke free on the right and crossed for Steven Gerrard to power home a header which PSV goalkeeper Gomes had no chance of saving.
They doubled their lead against the injury-hit Dutch side after 49 minutes when John-Arne Riise controlled the ball on his chest before thundering in a left-foot volley from 20 meters.
They wrapped up victory on the night -- and most likely the tie -- when Peter Crouch headed home after 63 minutes for his seventh Liverpool goal in his last seven starts.
The only worry for Liverpool was an injury for Fabio Aurelio who appeared to snap his Achilles with no other player around him 15 minutes from time.
PSV coach Ronald Koeman, the first man to take three different sides to the quarterfinals after previously leading Ajax Amsterdam and Benfica to the last eight, used the same tactical plan as he did last month at home against Arsenal.
But Koeman, whose Benfica side beat Liverpool in the first knockout round last season, had no answer to Liverpool's authority this time.
His two strikers, Jefferson Farfan and Diego Tardelli, broke in from the flanks to leave Liverpool's defensive center open.
But despite all the space they tried to exploit the home side registered only one first half chance when Mika Vayrynen's tight angled volley was deflected and went over the goal.
Vulnerable
On the other side the Eindhoven defense proved vulnerable with the absence of the powerful Brazilian Alex.
Alex, whose late header at Arsenal last month earned PSV their quarterfinal ticket, was missed for his organizing skills and the PSV defense generally lacked confidence and were under pressure from almost constant Liverpool attacks.
Crouch gave the first warning with a well placed header after 15 minutes which forced goalkeeper Gomes to stretch.
But Gomes had no answer when Gerrard headed in the opener with his thumping header. It was his 19th European goal for the club and his 15th in the senior competition.
Riise and Crouch added the second and third goals to underline Liverpool's dominance with Rafa Benitez men now dreaming of a return to the Champions League final, two years after they were crowned European champions for the fifth time.
The second leg is at Anfield next Wednesday.
Liverpool took the lead after 27 minutes when Steve Finnan broke free on the right and crossed for Steven Gerrard to power home a header which PSV goalkeeper Gomes had no chance of saving.
They doubled their lead against the injury-hit Dutch side after 49 minutes when John-Arne Riise controlled the ball on his chest before thundering in a left-foot volley from 20 meters.
They wrapped up victory on the night -- and most likely the tie -- when Peter Crouch headed home after 63 minutes for his seventh Liverpool goal in his last seven starts.
The only worry for Liverpool was an injury for Fabio Aurelio who appeared to snap his Achilles with no other player around him 15 minutes from time.
PSV coach Ronald Koeman, the first man to take three different sides to the quarterfinals after previously leading Ajax Amsterdam and Benfica to the last eight, used the same tactical plan as he did last month at home against Arsenal.
But Koeman, whose Benfica side beat Liverpool in the first knockout round last season, had no answer to Liverpool's authority this time.
His two strikers, Jefferson Farfan and Diego Tardelli, broke in from the flanks to leave Liverpool's defensive center open.
But despite all the space they tried to exploit the home side registered only one first half chance when Mika Vayrynen's tight angled volley was deflected and went over the goal.
Vulnerable
On the other side the Eindhoven defense proved vulnerable with the absence of the powerful Brazilian Alex.
Alex, whose late header at Arsenal last month earned PSV their quarterfinal ticket, was missed for his organizing skills and the PSV defense generally lacked confidence and were under pressure from almost constant Liverpool attacks.
Crouch gave the first warning with a well placed header after 15 minutes which forced goalkeeper Gomes to stretch.
But Gomes had no answer when Gerrard headed in the opener with his thumping header. It was his 19th European goal for the club and his 15th in the senior competition.
Riise and Crouch added the second and third goals to underline Liverpool's dominance with Rafa Benitez men now dreaming of a return to the Champions League final, two years after they were crowned European champions for the fifth time.
The second leg is at Anfield next Wednesday.
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