Walk On Walk On.......

8 March 2006 Liverpool 0-2 Benfica (agg 0-3) - 2nd leg of CL Last 16

BBC - Liverpool's dream of retaining their European crown was ended with a frustrating defeat at home to Benfica. - The Merseysiders had early chances to overturn their 1-0 first-leg deficit, with Peter Crouch, Jamie Carragher and Luis Garcia the most guilty. They were made to pay when Carragher dithered and ex-Reds target Sabrosa Simao produced a stunning strike. Fabrizio Miccoli completed Liverpool's misery when he grabbed a second in the dying minutes with an overhead kick.

Gerrard: "The fans were superb tonight and got behind us - but when you are 1-0 down it is important to get a goal. We created two or three chances in the first 20 minutes - and when they don't go in and they score you start to worry. Good luck to them, but it is very frustrating. We never took our chances - we could not put them away. It is a lack of confidence, and I think we need to work on it - extra shooting sessions in training, I think. We need to pick ourselves up. The FA cup becomes even more important now; we need a trophy. And of course we want to finish the league season strongly because we want to be back in Europe again next year. That's the aim."

Alonso: "The crowd was superb and you can't ask for more than this. At 2-0 down they knew we were out of the Champions League, but they were still singing and making us feel their support. It's been a disappointing night for Rafa but I know he's really focused and committed to the club. He realises how passionate this crowd is and how much they adore him. It would be impossible for him to find another crowd like this. Our crowd is so special because they react as well when we're feeling low as when we've had success. I'm not worried about the situation with Rafa and the rumours. I know how he feels about the club."