Vintage Liverpool crush Leverkusen
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| | QUARTERFINALISTS | AC Milan (Italy)
Bayern Munich (Germany)
Chelsea (England)
Juventus (Italy)
Liverpool (England)
Lyon (France)
PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
*Inter Milan (Italy) or Porto (Portugal)
*Second leg to be played March 15 in Milan. First leg 1-1
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LEVERKUSEN, Germany -- Luis Garcia scored twice as Liverpool cruised into the quarterfinals of the Champions League with a 3-0 second leg win over Bayer Leverkusen.
The Spanish forward ended any hopes the German side had of overturning a 3-1 first leg deficit when he opened the scoring on 28 minutes and then doubled Liverpool's lead four minutes later.
Milan Baros added to the four-time European champion's tally before Jacek Krzynowek scored a late consolation.
Liverpool's 6-2 aggregate win was reminiscent of the club's European glory days in the late 1970s and 1980s.
"No one will underestimate Liverpool after a result like this," said Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.
"It's very important for the club, the manager, the fans and everybody to be in the Champions League at this stage."
Leverkusen's late goal at Anfield in a 3-1 defeat had given the Germans a glimmer of hope but Garcia settled Liverpool's nerves just before the half hour when he flicked in a Steven Gerrard cross.
The former Barcelona striker then got the final touch on an Igor Biscan header to make it 2-0 as Liverpool avenged their quarterfinal defeat by Leverkusen in 2002.
Leverkusen pressed hard at the start of the second half but Milan Baros added a third in the 67th minute and Liverpool made it through to the last eight at a stroll, despite Krzynowek's late effort.
The German side had squandered two chances in the first half which could have transformed the tie.
Daniel Bierofka set up Landon Donovan for a clear shot in the 23rd minute but the American completely missed his kick.
Incredibly, Franca also failed to connect with his shot a couple of minutes later after Dimitar Berbatov's header had set him up with a great opportunity.
Three minutes later, Liverpool were a goal up. The visitors won a corner when Gerrard's low drive was turned round the post by Hans-Joerg Butt.
Leverkusen cleared it but Gerrard, receiving the ball on the right, drifted in a cross for Garcia to touch in.
Liverpool effectively settled the issue four minutes later with Garcia's second.
This time, Gerrard produced an outswinging corner and Garcia steered the ball in from Biscan's header.
Franca made a mess of a half-volley attempt at the start of the second half after Bierofka had done well to pick him out.
Jerzy Dudek then did well to keep out a powerful Franca shot but Leverkusen were giving up hope and Baros, taking advantage of a gaping hole at the back, calmly slotted in the third.
Leverkusen coach Klaus Augenthaler said Liverpool were deserved winners but said his team had been weakened by injuries and suspensions.
"Over the two games Liverpool fully deserved to go through," Augenthaler said.
"We wanted to do something here so much but it was too difficult with five players missing.
"We missed two chances in the first half and as soon as they scored their first goal it was over."
