From the get-go, Liverpool were untouchable, save for an intermittent long range drive or corner at the other end.
Quite simply, Liverpool were too good and made Real Madrid look like a football team from the Dark Ages. The Anfield side were hungrier, thirstier and played like they were the ones who had to seek the goals. Fernando Torres, on his 100th European appearance, and Steven Gerrard gave the Reds the advantage as los Blancos succumbed ignominiously. Even the much-maligned Andrea Dossena got in on the act, finishing under the body of Iker Casillas - the only Real Madrid player to emerge with a shred of credibility. Rafa has made a habit of negotiating his way through this tournament with Liverpool over the years. On this form, they will take some stopping in this edition.
First Half
Liverpool did not have to, and indeed, were not expected to be the aggressors tonight, but they had their adversaries reeling with a flurry of attacking punches within half an hour of the kick-off.
Right from the whistle, the Big Red Machine set about decimating Real Madrid, who did not help their own cause with errors committed throughout.
Within five minutes, Iker Casillas was given a stern test of his credentials; first, by the vibrant Fernando Torres and then by Javier Mascherano.
Torres, from Steven Gerrard's left-wing pass, left Fabio Cannavaro sprawling on the Anfield turf with an exquisite dummy-and-turn before opting for a near post finish when confronted with the white of 'San Iker's' eyes. The Spain goalkeeper was equal to his compatriot's effort.
From the corner, Mascherano volleyed goalward on his left-foot; Casillas tipped acrobatically over. Gerrard was then upended by Pepe to give himself a chance for an 18-yard free-kick. Casillas was again firm.
A goal was inevitable, and with the rope Liverpool offered in the first quarter-hour, Real Madrid hung themselves.
A long punt was allowed to hop by Lassana Diarra before the ball was missed by both Cannavaro and then Pepe.
As it reached the area, Torres pressured a retreating Pepe and found Dirk Kuyt on the right-edge of the area. Amid Madrid protests for a foul on Pepe, Kuyt squared for Torres, who finished confidently to secure Liverpool's grip on the tie.
Martin Skrtel forced a save with a header, before Torres prompted Gerrard to call Casillas into action with a stretching volley.
Twenty-six minutes in and Liverpool were in the clear. Xabi Alonso's crossfield pass found the chest of Alvaro Arbeloa in the box; his header hit the shoulder of Gabriel Heinze, but referee De Bleeckere was sufficiently convinced to offer a penalty. Gerrard made no mistake, sending Casillas the wrong way.
The hosts continued to turn the screw, and los Merengues' only threat came from a 40 yard free-kick from Wesley Sneijder. Javier Mascherano, erroneously booked when Alonso committed a foul in the 42nd minute, was reminiscent of a fly half, picking every loose ball for Liverpool's gain as the first period screeched to a halt. By the half-time whistle, the Reds looked out of sight.
Second Half
There was to be no let up, and within a minute of the restart, Madrid were looking for the next flight out of John Lennon Airport. Ryan Babel showed Sergio Ramos a clean pair of heels and crossed. Steven Gerrard found himself free at the edge the six yard box and buried his finish emphatically at the near post.
A Raul chance over the top offered Liverpool a reminder to keep on their guard, as did a long-range Fernando Gago curler, but between those, Gerrard almost had a third of the night and an eighth in this Champions League campaign. The ball shifted from Torres through Babel and Kuyt before the Dutchman teed up his captain to again force a save from the Real Madrid goalkeeper.
Real Madrid subsequently mustered something approaching an attacking threat as Liverpool finally eased up a shade. Sneijder, Gago and Raul all had half chances to give their side something to bite on, but could not convert.
Torres then curled from the edge of the box and earned a corner; Babel could not scramble the ensuing corner in, which is exactly what Gonzalo Higuain did for Madrid in the 82nd minute. Unfortunately for him, his scuffed effort, following a Sneijder header, was annulled for an offside call.
The cherry on the cake was to come though for the hosts, and it was the unlikely figure of Andrea Dossena to provide it. Babel led to break forward; he provided for Mascherano on the right wing, and the Argentine crossed for the Italian to fire under the body of the desperate Casillas.
Five seasons, five last 16 exits for Real Madrid.
Line Ups:
Liverpool (4-5-1): Reina - Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio - Mascherano, Alonso (Lucas 60'), Kuyt, Babel, Gerrard (Spearing 72') - Torres (Dossena 83')
Real Madrid (4-4-2): Casillas - Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro (van der Vaart 63'), Pepe, Heinze - Gago (Guti 75'), Diarra, Robben (Marcelo h/t), Sneijder - Higuain, Raul
Goals:
Liverpool: Torres 15', Gerrard 26', 46', Dossena 88'
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