Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid

The Reds steamrolled Madrid and inflicted upon them their heaviest ever CL defeat to make the quarter-finals, and consign los Blancos to their fifth straight second round exit.

Liverpool

Reina (8): Rock solid. Made some good saves and claimed everything with the utmost confidence.

Arbeloa (6): Was shaky and probably still lacking fitness, but held the fort well enough.

Carragher (6.5): Had very little to do in the early stages but blocked well. His hoofed long ball actually played a vital part in the opening goal. As Madrid began to dominate, though, his lack of pace exposed him if only slightly.

Skrtel (9): Had a good header early on. Put in an exceptional and crucial block on Sergio Ramos. Was a rock at the back and simply unbeatable in the air.

Aurelio (6.5): Solid as ever in the first half, but perhaps gave Sergio Ramos too much space in the second.

Mascherano (8): Just as he was in the first leg, a relentless runner. Got reckless at times, but also showed tremendous energy to sprint down the right and set up the fourth and final goal as well.

Xabi Alonso (7): A solid all-round game. Closed down well, received and distributed possession quickly and kept the game ticking over at a frantic pace.

Kuyt (6.5): Didn't do a lot of note, but put himself about, closing down in all areas of the pitch.

Gerrard (8): Good passing and movement from the captain. He was full of energy as well and took both his penalty and the well and truly game-killing goal very well.

Babel (7.5): Didn't have the most eventful of games, but was brilliant in dashing down the left early in the second half and providing a fantastic cross for Gerrard to hammer home the third goal.

Torres (8): A tremendous livewire up front. Caused Madrid all kinds of problems in the frantic beginning to the game. Took his goal well and had some other good chances as well. Finally, the performance against his bitter rivals he has always wanted - just not for Atletico.

Substitutes

Lucas (5): The game very much passed him by. If anything, his introduction signalled Madrid's dominance in the midfield and beyond.

Spearing (7): Full of endeavour and composed in possession.

Dossena (7): Came on, got booked for a sloppy challenge, then charged forward to score a chance he couldn't really miss. An unexpectedly eventful cameo.

Real Madrid

Casillas (8): Poor man. He made a string of incredible saves and never once let up throughout the entire game, yet conceded four goals he could do as good as nothing about.

Sergio Ramos (7): Was one of many caught like a rabbit in headlights early on, but got better and better as the game went on. Made several good runs and crosses.

Pepe (4.5): As usual, his fatal flaw of over-eagerness quite often got the better of him. A few rash challenges and his fancy footwork was not enough to detract from a fundamentally poor showing.

Cannavaro (3): Showed his age. He has been reborn under Juande Ramos, but the pace of the English game appears to be a bridge too far for the World Cup winner. He made a fool of himself when the first goal was scored, and could not get to grips with the game at all. Subbed on the hour when Madrid went all-out attack.

Heinze (5): Was very unlucky to concede a contentious penalty that more or less ended the game as a contest. He was otherwise too slow and not particularly good in possession, but fortune was not on his side.

Robben (4.5): Has said he never enjoyed playing Liverpool, and it's not hard to see why. Rafael Benitez certainly seems to know how to deal with him. He didn't get a run at anyone, and was substituted at half-time, possibly with a slight knock, or maybe Juande Ramos was well and truly furious with something.

Lass (5): Should have got back and helped defend the first goal. That was a cardinal sin on his part. He otherwise closed down well, but was rushed off the ball too easily in the first half.

Gago (4): Could not cope with the pace of the game at all. Was also too slow in possession. Fitness may not yet be perfect, but that is a weak excuse for a performance that wasn't good enough. Criminally, he ended any Madrid chance of an amazing comeback by letting Steven Gerrard run off him and score the third. Only improved when the game was over, open and made easy.

Sneijder (6.5): Was the only promising outfield player in the first half, with good movement, passing and set-pieces. In the second, his shooting was not what it has been and that proved costly. Perhaps a bit too single-minded and selfish at times.

Higuain (4.5): Barely saw the ball. Hard to judge him too harshly, as he was a striker starved of service.

Raul (4.5): Too slow in possession and his shots were scrappy. He tried, but the Champions League legend was not close to being good enough tonight.

Substitutes

Marcelo (7): Made some good runs and looked dangerous from time to time. Efficient in possession.

Van der Vaart (7): Inventive. Good in possession.

Guti (n/a).