Rate it!

106 votes

Liverpool secured a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 1-0 Group D win over Marseille at Anfield.

Captain Steven Gerrard's first-half header was enough to ensure Rafael Benitez's side joined Atletico Madrid in the last 16 after the Spanish side beat PSV Eindhoven 2-1 at Vicente Calderon.

Both sides move up to 11 points after their respective victories, with Atletico ahead on goal difference.

Liverpool travel to the Netherlands for their final group game on December 9 and to win the group they have to better Atletico's result at home to Marseille.

There could be serious ramifications for the French side after Gerrard was hit by a lighter thrown from the visiting support's area during a first half that Liverpool dominated.

Midway through the opening period Gerrard was on hand to head Alvaro Arbeloa's cross into the net after Marseille failed to clear a corner.

Dirk Kuyt had a number of chances, while Albert Riera forced a good stop from Steve Mandanda.

L'OM, meanwhile, were restricted to occasional counter-attacks, with Taye Taiwo's long-range free-kick that Pepe Reina palmed onto the post their only genuine opportunity.

But L'OM boss Eric Gerets must have had some strong words at half time as they came out for the second 45 with a completely different attitude and were unlucky not to get something from the match.

Karim Ziani and Hatem Ben Arfa spread passes around the pitch that created several good chances for Mamadou Niang, whose finishing did not match the build-up play.

Ben Arfa's touch and guile were impressive, and he forced Reina into an excellent save with a stinging free-kick that should have been a penalty as half-time substitute Andrea Dossena fouled Laurent Bonnart just inside the area.

Dossena was all over the place after coming on to replace the injured Fabio Aurelio, getting caught out of position and - along with Javier Mascherano - giving the ball away frequently.

Niang, meanwhile, had another shot blocked and he should have got an 80th-minute leveller when he headed Ziani's free-kick wide.

Liverpool did have some chances, with Gerrard firing wide and Riera making a clever run and shot that was parried by Mandanda, but they were hanging on by the end and will be concerned at their second-half performance.

Atletico Madrid 2-1 PSV Eindhoven

First-half goals from Simao Sabrosa and Maxi Rodriguez gave Atletico Madrid the points in an empty Vicente Calderon.

Los Rojiblancos were not overly affected by the stadium ban imposed on them for fan trouble during the Group D clash with Marseille as fans sang throughout the game outside the ground.

Portugal winger Simao finished from close range on 14 minutes after his initial effort was blocked by Carlos Salcido, and Argentina international Maxi doubled the lead on 28 minutes when he hammered the ball past Isaksson after the Dutch side failed to clear a corner.

PSV went close twice through Edison Mendez and Danny Koevermans pulled one back at the beginning of the second half with a cool touch and finish after the hosts made a mess of dealing with a set-piece.

Atletico had the better chances with Diego Forlan, Florent-Sinama Pongolle and Maxi all going close and they deserved the win that sealed their place in the last 16.

Reda Maher / Eurosport