Liverpool heads home with edge over PSV in Champions League

Apr 4, 2007, 0:00 GMT

Eindhoven, Holland - Steven Gerrard became Liverpool's top goalscorer in the European Cup en route to leading the Reds to a critical 3-0 victory over PSV in a Champions League quarterfinal first leg match at Philips Stadion.

John Arne Riise and Peter Crouch also found the back of the net for Liverpool, which won the entire tournament during the 2004-05 season.

PSV now needs its best performance of the year in the second leg to return to the semifinals of this tournament for the second time in three years. Not only did PSV lose the match, but it buried itself by surrendering three goals, since the tie-breaker, if needed in the second leg, will come down to away goals.

Gerrard broke a scoreless match in the 27th minute via a header from the penalty spot. Steve Finnan started the play with a cross into the box, where the England midfielder was able to break free and direct the ball into the right side of the net down low.

Gerrard now has 15 goals in Champions League play, moving past Ian Rush on Liverpool's all-time list.

PSV was lucky to go into the intermission down by only one goal considering it looked sluggish the entire first half when it did not produce any shots on goal.

Liverpool doubled its lead to 2-0 in the 49th minute when John Arne Riise took advantage of a PSV turnover. The Norwegian ran to the loose ball and after settling it with his chest, he blasted the ball up high from long range past goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

Peter Crouch gave the road team a 3-0 edge in the 63rd minute. The striker split the defenders from 10 yards out and found the back of the net courtesy of a header up high off of a Finnan cross.

PSV was without two of its better defenders. Brazilian Alex was forced to watch with a hamstring injury, while Michael Reiziger is out for the remainder of the campaign with a groin problem.

The second leg will be played at Anfield on April 11. The winner will play either Chelsea or Valencia in the semifinal round.

Reds midfielder Fabio Aurelio's status for the return trip to England is up in the air after leaving this one with what appeared to be a serious injury.

In Tuesday's other contest, AC Milan and Bayern Munich battled to a 2-2 draw. Kaka gave the Italian club a 2-1 edge in the 84th minute courtesy of a penalty kick, but Daniel van Buyten lit the scoreboard in injury time to knot the contest at two.

Kaka is the leading scorer in the Champions League this season with seven goals.

The other two quarterfinal matches kick off on Wednesday as AS Roma welcomes Manchester United to town, and Valencia travels to Chelsea.

© 2007 The Sports Network