Liverpool played out a frustrating first half with Standard Liege heading into the break in deadlock. The second half was much better, Robbie Keane was replaced by Nabil El Zhar as the Reds still looked toothless up front. The game headed into extra time, but just as it looked like penalties were imminent, Dirk Kuyt relieved the anxiety at Anfield by getting on the end of Ryan Babel’s cross to direct the ball into the net from three yards. It wasn’t pretty but Liverpool are through.

Incredibile sofferenza per i Reds, che per 207 minuti non riescono a segnare un gol allo Standard Liegi. Dopo lo 0-0 in Belgio, il risultato resta inchiodato anche ad Anfield fin quasi alla fine del secondo supplementare. A evitare i rigori ci pensa il solito, impagabile e sempre troppo sottovalutato Kuyt: sua la zampata sul cross di Babel che toglie le castagne dal fuoco al Liverpool di Benitez.