Liverpool's Steven Gerrard scores from a penalty rebound against Olympique Marseille during their Champions League Group A match at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille yesterday. - reuters

marseille, france (reuters)

Liverpool stormed through to the last 16 of the Champions League with a spectacular 4-0 win at Olympique Marseille in their final Group A match yesterday.

Captain Steven Gerrard opened the scoring on four minutes, following up after his penalty was kept out by Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

Spain striker Fernando Torres doubled the advantage with a fine solo effort seven minutes later and Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt made it 3-0 from close range following a poor Mandanda clearance early in the second half. Substitute winger Ryan Babel then wrapped it up in added time.

Marseille, who had stunned Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield in October, looked nervous from the kickoff and will have to be content with finishing third in the group and continue in the UEFA Cup.

Marseille, the 1993 European champions, started the match with a perfect 6-0 home record against English clubs in European club competitions, but their hopes were short-lived on a cold, windy night.

The home side had already survived a few scares when defender Gael Givet had no other option than to bring down Gerrard in the box, which led to the visitors' first goal.

Torres soon increased the five-times champions' lead, twisting his way through three defenders and racing into the area to beat Mandanda with a low angled shot.

CLUMSY MANDANDA

Marseille hardly created a chance in the first half and suffered shortly before the break with a couple of great opportunities for the visitors, Gerrard narrowly missing the target from a free kick and midfielder Harry Kewell then firing just over the bar.

The second half was under way for only three minutes when a clumsy Mandanda kicked the ball straight to Kewell, who set up Kuyt in the box for their third goal.

Marseille's best chance came on 64 minutes when a header from substitute forward Djibril Cisse went just wide.

Other results:

Group A:

Porto 2 Besiktas 0

Group B:

Chelsea 0 Valencia 0

Schalke 3 Rosenborg 1

Group C:

Olympiakos 3 Bremen 0

Real Madrid 3 Lazio 1