AC Milan and Rangers survive, Porto flop
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-07 08:44

Liverpool's best chance came on the half hour when Steven Gerrard put John Arne Riise through but a diving Petr Cech saved with his feet.

Liverpool have beaten Chelsea under Jose Mourinho only once in eight meetings but that was the big one -- the semi-final of last season's Champions League.

It was the second time in succession Chelsea had lost at the semi-final stage. Liverpool beat AC Milan in the final in Istanbul after staging a stunning comeback from 3-0 down.

This season they were favourites to qualify from a tough group and fulfilled expectations.

LIVELY START

Dutch winger Arjen Robben livened things up at the start of the second half when his close-range shot spun just wide of the post and for a while the game opened up.

In the 67th minute Lampard, runner-up for European footballer of the year and shortlisted for the world accolade, missed another golden opportunity when he skyed a pass from Ireland winger Damien Duff.

Liverpool rarely threatened in the second period and Chelsea failed to capitalise on their final chance in the last five minutes when they could not force the ball home in a goalmouth scramble with the Merseysiders bringing everyone back into defence.

"We have more points than the others so we have done a good job," Benitez said. "Normally it's better to finish first but it depends on the draw."

Benitez was clearly unhappy about a challenge by Michael Essien on Dietmar Hamann in the first half when the Ghana midfielder appeared to stamp on the German's leg.

He refused to criticise the referee, however. Tightlipped he commented: "I have seen his leg. I have seen the video. You watch the video and decide."

Hamann said: "It was the worst tackle I have ever received. I though my leg was broken."

The draw for the knockout stages takes place on December 16.