English clubs have it tough in the first knockout phase of Europe's Premier club competition with Arsenal and Liverpool drawing reigning European champions AC Milan and Serie A leaders Inter Milan respectively.
Manchester United faces a tricky tie against French champions Lyon while Chelsea has the easiest of draws against Olympiakos.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is optimistic that his young side can overcome champions Milan.
"It's an exciting draw. If you look at last season's results then it's the hardest draw because they are the champions.
"It's a big challenge but if you ask me do we have a chance to knock them out then I say 'yes'." he said.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said his team will draw on the experience of winning the tournament in 2005 and finishing runners-up last year while Sir Alex Ferguson described Lyon, who knocked Rangers out in the group phase, as the toughest opponents they could have been drawn against.
Full draw:
Celtic v Barcelona
Lyon v Manchester United
Schalke v Porto
Liverpool v Inter Milan
Roma v Real Madrid
Arsenal v AC Milan
Olympiakos v Chelsea
Fenerbahce v Sevilla
Ties will be played on 19/20 February and 4/5 March, 2008.
Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers have failed to progress to the last 16 of the Champions League after Lyon blasted in three goals without reply to join Barcelona into the knockout stages of the competition from Group E.
Despite needing a draw to make it through, Sidney Govou's opener and a late double from Karim Benzema secured the win for the French champions. Rangers will now have the scant consolation of the UEFA Cup to look forward to.
Meanwhile in the other Group E match, Barcelona beat VfB Stuttgart with a come from behind 3-1 win at the Camp Nou. Giovanni, Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho all scored for the Spanish giants.
In Group F, Manchester United's perfect record was ended by Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. The dead-rubber match saw Sir Alex Ferguson field a team of youngsters against the Italian club yet they still managed to hold the home side to a 1-all draw.
For the second season running violence marred Manchester United's visit to the Italian capital with a 16-year-old believed to be among seven Red Devils fans requiring hospital treatment after trouble outside the stadium.
In other matches, wins were recorded for Sporting Lisbon, Fenerbahce, Inter Milan, Arsenal and FC Sevilla.
Olympiakos 3 - 0 Werder Bremen
Real Madrid 3 - 1 Lazio
SUMMARY:
English Premier League giants Liverpool booked a place in the Champions League knockout stages at the expense of Marseille with a convincing 4-0 win at Stade Vélodrome.
Knowing nothing less than a win would do, Rafa Benitez's men delivered a hearty performance through goals by captain Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres inside just 12 first half minutes to settle any nerves for the visitors. Second-half strikes by Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel sealed the emphatic win for the Reds, although the visitors could have scored even more goals, such was their dominance.
The result meant the Reds finished second in Group A behind Porto and qualified from the pool stages for the fourth year in succession. They will face a group winner in the Round of 16.
In other matches, Chelsea, who had already qualified as Group B winners, played out a bore nil-all draw with Valencia at Stamford Bridge. The result meant that the Spanish club failed to even qualify for the UEFA cup.
Meanwhile at the Bernabeu, Spanish giants Real Madrid secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League as Group C winners with a reasonably comfortable victory over Italian club Lazio.
First half goals from Julio Baptista, Raul and Robinho were enough to seal the win for the home side.
In other matches, wins were recorded for Porto, Schalke 04 and Olympiakos.
AC Milan 1 - 0 Celtic
Shakhtar Donetsk 1 - 2 Benfica
SUMMARY:
Scottish champions Celtic are through to the knock-out stages of the UEFA Champions League for the second season on the trot despite going down 1-0 to AC Milan at the San Siro.
Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi broke the deadlock on the 70th minute with his 63rd goal in UEFA club competitions - a new record - to seal the win, and top spot in the group, for his side.
In the opening stages, the visitors looked nervous knowing that a draw would seal their place in the next phase of Europe's premier club competition. Once the nerves had settled, Celtic were happy to sit back and hit Milan on the counter-attack but lacked the incisive cutting edge to break the Rossoneri defence.
However, the Scottish champions were stunned 21 minutes from time when Brazilian Cafu squared the ball inside the area for Inzaghi to score his record breaking goal.
Despite the loss, the Scottish side were still able to celebrate qualification after Shakhtar Donetsk's 2-1 loss to Benfica in the other Group D match.
Liverpool fought off a spirited Porto side at Anfield to record a 4-1 win in the Champions League. The win meant as much for the team's progression hopes as it did for boss Rafa Benitez's future, with rumours that he would be sacked by Liverpool's American owners should the club fail to qualify for the latter stages of Europe's premier club competition.
Fernando Torres opened the scoring for the home side with a downward header - his first goal in Europe for Liverpool - but the visitors equalised on the 33rd minute through Lisandro López.
With the team struggling to find a winner, Benitez sent on Aussie Harry Kewell and the side seemed rejuvenated. The left winger went close twice but had to rely on the Reds' Spanish striker Torres to unlock the Porto defence once more in the 78th minute.
A late penalty and tap-in by Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch flattered the scoreline, but the team's morale should be boosted for their final game against Marseille which is a must-win game.
In other matches, Besiktas beat Marseille 2-1, Chelsea thumped four past Rosenborg without reply, Real Madrid were handed a defeat by Werder Bremen, European champions AC Milan were held to a surprise draw by Benfica and Scottish side Celtic defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1.
Tue, Nov 27: UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group E)
Lyon 2 - 2 Barcelona
VfB Stuttgart 3 - 2 Rangers
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group F)
Dynamo Kiev 1 - 4 Roma
Man Utd 2 - 1 Sporting Lisbon
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group G)
CSKA Moscow 0 - 1 PSV Eindhoven
Inter Milan 3 - 0 Fenerbahce
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group H)
FC Sevilla 3 - 1 Arsenal
Steaua Bucuresti 1 - 1 Slavia Prague
SUMMARY:
Manchester United have sealed top spot in Group F thus will be seeded for the knock-out stage of Europe's premier club competition.
The Red Devils made it five out of five wins in the CL this season with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford but had to thank Cristiano Ronaldo's last minute winner as the visitors threatened to hold the home side to a draw.
Elsewhere, Roma sealed a comprehensive 4-1 win over Ukraine's Dynamo Kiev while French side Lyon were able to hold Spanish giants Barcelona to a 2-2 draw at home.
Wins were also recorded for VfB Stuttgart, PSV Eindhoven, Inter Milan (who have now qualified for the knock-out phase) and FC Sevilla (who inflicted a 3-1 defeat on high-flying Arsenal).
Tue, Nov 7: UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group E)
Barcelona 2 - 0 Rangers
Lyon 4 - 2 VfB Stuttgart
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group F)
Man Utd 4 - 0 Dynamo Kiev
Sporting Lisbon 2 - 2 Roma
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group G)
Fenerbahce 2 - 0 PSV Eindhoven
Inter Milan 4 - 2 CSKA Moscow
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group H)
Slavia Prague 0 - 0 Arsenal
Steaua Bucuresti 0 - 2 FC Sevilla
SUMMARY:
Wayne Rooney: Scoring for fun these days
English giants Manchester United and Arsenal booked their places in the knock out stages of Europe's Premier club competition overnight with a win and a draw respectively.
Manchester United's 4-0 win over Dynamo Kiev at Old Trafford was like a stroll in the park for a Red Devils side featuring two non-first team regulars, Danny Simpson and Gerard Pique, making the side due to injuries and what not.
And it was defender Gerard Pique and Carlos Tevez who did the damage before the break with a goal apiece in the 31st and 37th minute respectively.
After the break, man-of-the-match Wayne Rooney and wing wizard Cristiano Ronaldo scored their seventh and eighth goals of the season respectively to finish off the visitors.
In what must be their 'n-th' game to score four goals this season, Sir Alex Ferguson's maturing side of youthful exuberance and experience is looking increasingly likely to emulate the Class of 99' by winning the competition this season.
Meanwhile, in the Czech Republic, there was to be no repeat of the then record 7-0 rout for Arsenal in their previous game against Slavia Prague.
At home in the Evzena Rosickeho Stadium, the home side made sure their defence was water-tight to restrict the rampant Gunners to just a handful of shots on goal which made Arsene Wenger's 100th match in elite level European club football hardly a classic.
However, football remains a results driven business and the point was enough to see Arsenal through from Group H, which they can top with victory in Sevilla later this month.
At the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Internazionale came from two-goals down to emerge as 4-2 victors over CSKA Moscow courtesy of a Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Esteban Cambiasso brace that puts the Serie A champions on the threshold of the Champions League knockout stages.
In Spain, Barcelona edged closer to the next round with a comfortable 2-0 win over Rangers at the Camp Nou with goals coming from Henry and Messi.
Wins were also recorded for Lyon, Fenerbahce and FC Sevilla.
Tue, Nov 6: UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group A)
FC Porto 2 - 1 Marseille
Liverpool 8 - 0 Besiktas
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group B)
Schalke 04 0 - 0 Chelsea
Valencia 0 - 2 Rosenborg
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group C)
Lazio 2 - 1 Werder Bremen
Olympiakos 0 - 0 Real Madrid
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group D)
Celtic 1 - 0 Benfica
Shakhtar Donetsk 0 - 3 AC Milan
SUMMARY:
Liverpool recorded the biggest winning margin in Champions League history with an 8 - 0 demolition of Besiktas at Anfield overnight.
The Mighty Reds regained their European pride on a magical European night at Anfield to give themselves a fighting chance of salvaging their Champions League dreams which had seen the team pick up just a solitary point from their opening three games.
As soon as Peter Crouch, restored to the starting line-up in place of the injured Fernando Torres, opened the scoring in the 19th minute, the floodgates opened for an avalanche of goals including a hat-trick for man of the match Yossi Benayoun.
The scoresheet makes a stunning read:
Peter Crouch (19)
Yossi Benayoun (32)
Yossi Benayoun (53)
Yossi Benayoun (56)
Steven Gerrard (69)
Ryan Babel (78)
Ryan Babel (81)
Peter Crouch (89)
To think that this was the same Liverpool side that lost to the same Turkish side just two weeks ago simply beggars belief!
But with qualification hopes at stake, Rafa Benitez's men turned on a performance worthy of European champions by ripping Besiktas to shreds in a commanding display.
Be sure to watch the video and check out Babel's cheeky back heel for his first goal!
Despite their comprehensive win at Anfield, Liverpool's chances of progressing in the Champions League were dealt a blow in Portugal as Porto claimed three points against Group A rivals Marseille.
In other matches, Rosenborg increased their chances of progressing from Group B by overturning Valencia 2-0 at the Mestalla while Chelsea could only manage a goalless draw against Schalke 04.
Wins were also recorded for Lazio, Celtic and reigning champions AC Milan.
Wed, Oct 24: UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group A)
Besiktas 2 - 1 Liverpool
Marseille 1 - 1 FC Porto
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group B)
Chelsea 2 - 0 Schalke 04
Rosenborg 2 - 0 Valencia
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group C)
Real Madrid 4 - 2 Olympiakos
Werder Bremen 2 - 1 Lazio
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group D)
AC Milan 4 - 1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Benfica 1 - 0 Celtic
SUMMARY:
Liverpool's qualification hopes for the next phase of the UEFA Champions League were dealt a severe blow overnight when they were defeated by Turkish side Besiktas 2-1 at the Inönü stadium.
The Reds were behind early to a Serdar Ozkan effort which deflected in off central defender Sami Hyypia. Rogerio Da Silva Deivson sealed the win for the home side in the 82nd minute when he guided a shot past an exposed Reina.
Despite a late goal from Steven Gerrard, there was to be no herculean comeback from Liverpool in Turkey this time.
The defeat leaves the last season's finalist languishing at the bottom of Group A with a solitary point.
Chelsea's place in the knockout stages of the Champions League now looks nothing more than a formality after a goal in each half from Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba ensured the Blues remain top of their group with a 2-0 win over Schalke at Stamford Bridge.
Brazilian Robinho was an inspirational figure in Real Madrid's thrilling 4-2 over 10-man Olympiakos at the Bernabeu. A brace of goals from the whiz kid plus one a piece for Raul and Javier Balboa sealed the win for the home side.
AC Milan shrugged off their poor Serie A form with a convincing 4-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. A brace of goals each from Gilardino and Seedorf sealed the win for Milan at the San Siro.
In other matches, wins were recorded for Rosenborg, Werder Bremen and Benfica.
Tue, Oct 23: UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group E)
Rangers 0 - 0 Barcelona
VfB Stuttgart 0 - 2 Lyon
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group F)
Dynamo Kiev 2 - 4 Man Utd
Roma 2 - 1 Sporting Lisbon
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group G)
CSKA Moscow 1 - 2 Inter Milan
PSV Eindhoven 0 - 0 Fenerbahce
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group H)
Arsenal 7 - 0 Slavia Prague
FC Sevilla 2 - 1 Steaua Bucuresti
SUMMARY:
English Premier League leaders Arsenal sent out an ominous warning to their rivals with an incredible 7-0 rout of Slavia Prague overnight.
The win highlighted the superiority of this fine young side as much as the gulf in class between the top European clubs and the minnows featuring in the Champions League.
Teenager Theo Walcott, widely regarded as the successor to former captain Thierry Henry, led the rout with his blistering pace ripping apart the Slavia Prague defence time and time again. The youngster capped off the brilliant display with a brace - his first goals for the Gunners in Europe.
Inspirational midfielder Cesc Fabregas opened the scoring inside five minutes to send the Gunners on their way to a record win - the club's biggest at home in Europe since 1991.
Alexander Hleb (24) Theo Walcott (41, 55), Alexander Hleb (51), Cesc Fabregas (58) and Nicklas Bendtner (89) all got their names on the scoresheet.
Manchester United has one foot in the next phase of the competition with a 4-2 win over Dynamo Kiev.
Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney gave the Red Devils a flying start before a Cristiano Ronaldo double sealed the win after Dynamo had kept things interesting with two goals of their own.
Scottish side Rangers held Spanish giants Barcelona to a surprise draw at the Ibrox Stadium despite being handed a footballing masterclass by the Catalan giants.
A stubborn Rangers side were able to hold off the most formidable front-line in European football thus frustrating the likes of Ronaldinho, Messi and Thierry Henry.
In the end, both teams had to be happy with a point each from the goal-less draw in a match that was far more entertaining that the scoreline suggests.
In other matches, wins were recorded for Lyon, Roma, Inter and Sevilla.
AC Milan goalkeeper Dida has had his two-match suspension reduced by UEFA following an appeal by the club.
The 34-year-old Brazilian was initially banned for two games for his theatrics following a very minor 'altercation' with a Celtic fan that had gone onto the pitch during the 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park.
The initial two-match suspension has now been reduced to just one with a further game suspended for a year.
AC Milan's grounds for appeal were that the keeper's actions was nevertheless a mistake but his error did not hinder anyone, not Celtic, nor any player. The club were also unhappy that Celtic were fined only £25,000 which, in their opinion, was lenient compared to the suspension Dida received.
The decision by UEFA to reduce the suspension is an absolute disgrace. The initial two-match suspension was by no means harsh by any standards - some would say that Dida deserved to have been heavily punished for tarnishing the reputation and integrity of the game.
By reducing the length of the suspension, UEFA has effectively condoned the keeper's actions and that any other player thinking of doing the same in the future can expect just a one-match ban.
Who else thinks Celtic should reduce the fan's lifetime banishment from the club's matches now? They might as bloody well!
Dida is stretchered off after being tapped by a fan
AC Milan's play acting 'genius' Dida received a two-match ban from UEFA for his ludicrous theatrics in last week's controversial Champions League match again Scottish side Celtic.
Dida was found to have breached UEFA's 'principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship' for writhing around in feigned agony near the goalmouth when approached by a Celtic supporting pitch-invader who had barely tapped him on/near the collarbone.
Celtic have been fined £25,000, half of which is suspended, for their part in the incident by UEFA.
Celtic has banned the fan from all the club's matches - both home and away - for life.
Wed, Oct 3: UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group A)
Besiktas 0 - 1 FC Porto
Liverpool 0 - 1 Marseille
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group B)
Rosenborg 0 - 2 Schalke 04
Valencia 1 - 2 Chelsea
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group C)
Lazio 2 - 2 Real Madrid
Werder Bremen 1 - 3 Olympiakos
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group D)
Benfica 0 - 1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Celtic 2 - 1 AC Milan
SUMMARY:
The latest batch of Champions League matches were played overnight with Scottish side Celtic defeating champions AC Milan in a surprise result.
Playing at Celtic Park, the home side took the lead in the 62nd minute through captain Stephen McManus who bundled the ball over the line from just inches out.
Six minutes later, Brazilian Kaká restored parity for the visitors with a spot-kick but with just seconds remaining, Scott McDonald scored a poachers goal to secure a famous victory for the Scottish club.
The match, however, was soured when a ecstatic Celtic fan ran onto the field and made contact with Milan goalkeeper Dida - who collapsed to the ground and, after attention, was replaced by Aussie Zeljko Kalac as the game finished in controversial circumstances.
It remains to be seen whether Celtic will be punished by UEFA for the stupidity of one fan.
A lacklustre Liverpool side suffered their first defeat of the season with a poor display at home against Marseille.
The reds were constantly ambushed in possession, or just gave the ball away - looking a yard slower at almost everything in a very worrying first half.
It took until the 77th minute for Marseille to score their richly deserved goal and it's back to the drawing board for Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.
Chelsea rebounded from their recent troubles to record a morale boosting victory against Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium. In a repeat of their quarter final clash from last season's Champions League, the blues ran out 2-1 winners on the night with goals from Joe Cole and Didier Drogba.
In other matches wins were recorded for Porto, Schalke, Olympiakos and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Tue, Oct 2: UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group E)
Lyon 0 - 3 Rangers
VfB Stuttgart 0 - 2 Barcelona
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group F)
Dynamo Kiev 1 - 2 Sporting Lisbon
Man Utd 1 - 0 Roma
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group G)
CSKA Moscow 2 - 2 Fenerbahce
Inter Milan 2 - 0 PSV Eindhoven
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group H)
FC Sevilla 4 - 2 Slavia Prague
Steaua Bucharest 0 - 1 Arsenal
SUMMARY:
It was a successful evening for British clubs in the UEFA Champions League last night with Manchester United and Arsenal of the EPL recording 1-0 victories over Roma and Steaua Bucharest respectively.
Scottish side Rangers beat French champions comprehensively in a 3-0 demolition away from home.
In other matches, wins were recorded for Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, Inter Milan and Sevilla.
Wed, Sep 19: UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group E)
Barcelona 3 - 0 Lyon
Rangers 2 - 1 VfB Stuttgart
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group F)
Roma 2 - 0 Dynamo Kiev
Sporting Lisbon 0 - 1 Man Utd
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group G)
Fenerbahce 1 - 0 Inter Milan
PSV Eindhoven 2 - 1 CSKA Moscow
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group H)
Arsenal 3 - 0 FC Sevilla
Slavia Prague 2 - 1 Steaua Bucuresti
SUMMARY:
Portugese winger Cristiano Ronaldo returned to his former hunting ground with Manchester United to inflict a 1-0 defeat over Sporting Lisbon overnight.
Timing his run to perfection, Ronaldo coolly nodded in Wes Brown's cross in the 62nd minute to provide the Red Devils with only their third Champions League away win in 15 encounters.
Ronaldo restricted himself to a muted celebration and was duly offered a standing ovation by the Sporting faithful when he was replaced by Carlos Tevez four minutes from time.
This game also marked the return of England striker Wayne Rooney from injury and played well considering the length of time he has spent on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, French superstar Thierry Henry scored his first goal for Barcelona in his side's 3-0 win over Lyon at the Camp Nou.
But the star of the show was Messi who skipped past two challenges and drilled a low angled shot towards Vercoutre's far post which Clerc inadvertently deflected past his goalkeeper. The pint-sized forward then got his name on the score-sheet with a late goal in the 82nd minute.
The Gunners continued to show no signs of Henry withdrawal symptoms with a convincing 3-0 win over Sevilla in their opening CL match at the Emirates Stadium.
Teen sensation Cesc Fabregas found himself on the score-sheet once again with other goals from Robin Van Persie and Eduardo.
In other matches, wins were recorded for Rangers, Roma, Fenerbache, PSV and Slavia Prague.
Tue, Sep 18: UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group A)
FC Porto 1 - 1 Liverpool
Marseille 2 - 0 Besiktas
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group B)
Chelsea 1 - 1 Rosenborg
Schalke 04 0 - 1 Valencia
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group C)
Olympiakos 1 - 1 Lazio
Real Madrid 2 - 1 Werder Bremen
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group D)
AC Milan 2 - 1 Benfica
Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - 0 Celtic
SUMMARY:
English giants Chelsea and Liverpool got off to a disappointing start in the UEFA Champions League for Season 07/08 with draws against Rosenborg and FC Porto respectively.
Jose Mourinho's men failed to beat the supposed whipping boys of the competition at Stamford Bridge and had to settle for a one-all draw.
The Londoners were expected to make short work of their unfashionable opponents in their Group B opener but lacked sufficient threat up front through injuries to star striker Didier Drogba and midfield general Frank Lampard.
The Norwegians stunned Jose Mourinho's side by taking a 24th-minute lead through Miika Koppinen and only a second-half leveller from under-fire Andriy Shevchenko salvaged a draw for the English outfit.
Liverpool fared no better with an one-all draw against FC Porto at the Estadio do Dragao but will be slightly better off having earned a point away from home against formidable opponents.
The Reds, particularly in the first period, were just awful and at times Porto threatened to over-run them.
Porto took an early lead through a Lucho Gonzalez penalty in the 8th minute but Dutch striker popped up in the 17th minute to equalise with a header.
In the second half, Liverpool had to play the final 32 minutes with 10 men after Jermaine Pennant's fractious display cost him two yellow cards and an automatic red.
AC Milan began their defence of the European crown with a solid 2-1 win against Benfica at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza with Pirlo and Inzaghi getting on the score sheet.
Elsewhere, wins were recorded for Marseille, Valencia, Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Dynamo Kiev 3 - 0 FK Sarajevo
Shakhtar Donetsk 3 - 1 SV Salzburg
Besiktas 2 - 0 FC Zürich
Steaua Bucuresti 2 - 0 BATE Borisov
Anderlecht 0 - 2 Fenerbahce
Dinamo Zagreb 2 - 3 Werder Bremen
Slavia Prague 2 - 1 Ajax Amsterdam
Celtic 1 - 1 Spartak Moscow
Elfsborg 1 - 2 Valencia
FC Copenhagen 0 - 1 Benfica
Rosenborg 2 - 0 Tampere United
Arsenal 3 - 0 Sparta Prague
SUMMARY:
Liverpool showed once again why they are one of the most feared sides in European club football by annihilating French side Toulouse 4-0 in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier.
Holding a slender lead from the 1st leg which the Reds won 1-0, Toulouse were never given a sniff of a chance at Anfield as the Reds ran riot with four goals from Peter Crouch, Sami Hyypia and a brace from Dirk Kuyt.
Despite missing the talismanic duo of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, Liverpool recorded their 50th home European Cup win thus earning themselves a place in the group stages of the Champions League and a £12million windfall.
The Mighty Reds are joined in the group stages by fellow English giants Arsenal after their 5-0 aggregate win over Sparta Prague.
Rosicky opened the scoring for the Gunners in the 7th minute with late goals from Fabregas and Eduardo slightly flattering the score-line.
Also advancing through to the group stages are Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic with the latter securing qualification via a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.
The clash with Spartak Moscow itself was a classic with missed penalties from both sides in normal time.
Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin has shown that despite strike partner and fellow new signing Fernando Torres has taken all the headlines since their arrivals at Anfield, he is determined to hog the limelight with his displays on the pitch.
And what better way to do it than scoring a sublime goal like this?
And now from a slightly different angle...
What a cracker of a goal! Here's hoping for many more to come from the Ukrainian's right foot this season...
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