Referee Olegario Benquerenca separates the players as Mamadou Niang of Marseille squares up to Javier Mascherano of Liverpool. For all the action Marseille could aggregation though, it was not abundant as Liverpool won 1-0 to beforehand to the aftermost 16 in the Champions League.
Liverpool are through to the aftermost 16 of the Champions League but afar from that they won't booty too abounding positives from the bold tonight. Marseille were the more good ancillary for the majority of the bold and had they bedevilled addition like Torres up front, they would absolutely accept won the bold accustomed the affairs they created. Liverpool were absolutely poor but got the job done and that's the capital thing.
90 The final whistle goes and somehow Liverpool have held on for a 1-0 win here at Anfield tonight.
90 There will be three minutes of added time.
89 Bonnart goes off for Samassa.
88 Alonso commits a foul as he challenges for Gerrard's corner.
87 Lucas combines with Alonso but his cross into the box is headed clear by Hilton.
85 Lucas Leiva comes on for Kuyt.
84 Valbuena fouls Mascherano on the right flank and Liverpool have a free-kick.
82 Mascherano cynically chops down Valbuena in midfield after being dispossessed and the Marseille players are furious. There's a coming together of about 10 or 12 players. Mascherano is booked as is Niang.
81 Another glorious chance for Niang but he sends his close-range header wide of Reina's goal. He has missed some gilt-edged chances tonight.
80 Ben Arfa goes down on the left and it's another free-kick to Marseille. Liverpool have been so, so poor all night it has to be said. Marseille are totally dominating.
78 Kone is replaced by Mathieu Valbuena.
77 Ziani's free-kick into the box only needs a touch to direct it past Reina in the Liverpool goal but somehow everyone misses it and Reina gathers.
76 Xabi Alonso shoots well wide from 30 yards out.
75 Zubar again lashes the ball well over the bar from 35 yards out when he has team-mates around him in better positions.
73 A really good pass by Taiwo finds Kone down the left wing but he is well tackled by Carragher.
72 Zubar hauls down Torres on the left flank. Liverpool have a free-kick and some respite.
70 Great play by Niang again as he paces away from the Liverpool defence but his left-footed effort is brilliantly blocked by Dossena. Liverpool are hanging on here.
69 Ben Arfa takes the free-kick and his curling effort is brilliantly turned round the post by Reina, superb goalkeeping. But Liverpool are all over the place here, Marseille are dominating.
68 Dossena chops down Niang right on the line of the box - that was so close to being a penalty. A free-kick is given but Liverpool get lucky there.
67 Adam Williams says: "I'd like to respon to Chris. Although I agree with him about Benitez making rash decisions, come on Liverpool, and that we can win the Champions and Premier challengers is because of Rafa. Since 04/05 we have become world class again and his decisions have been vital. No one is a better tactician and after all, we all make mistakes from time to time. Rafa is certainly not holding us back in our quest for glory League, I think the main reason we can consider ourselves title this season, he's pushing us on!"
66 Zubar blasts high over the bar from around 35 yards out. A real waste.
65 Renee Lancaster says: "If you consider how much Liverpool have developed over the Benitez era it's amazing, I think people need to give him his credit and not get on his back so quickly. He is able to attract some of ther best players in the world. If he were to leave an awful lot of players would follow him, just look at Drogba...looks like he's going to Inter.
If given the same amount of time as Ferguson, Benitez will be a legend."
64 Benayoun comes on for Reira.
63 Gerrard sends Torres clean through on goal - but the Spaniard is flagged for offside.
62 Ben Arfa easily beats Dossena but his low ball across goal misses everyone. Great play by the winger, but again the final ball is lacking.
61 Good move by Liverpool leads to Reira forcing Mandanda into a save with a powerful shot from a tight angle.
61 Yossi Benayoun looks like he will be coming on shortly.
60 Liverpool break quickly but Javier Mascherano's pass is far too hard for Torres and Taiwo collects.
59 Carragher defends well against Kone but concedes a corner.
58 Ben Arfa's pass across the box for Cheyrou is well cut out by Kuyt.
57 Gerrard shoots a few feet wide from 25 yards out.
56 Another chance for Niang. Great turn to beat Carragher 30 yards from goal but his effort on goal is a weak one and Reina easily holds it.
55 Niang gets in behind the Liverpool defence again but this time he is offside.
54 Gerrard's long ball looking for Torres is once again overhit by the Liverpool captain.
53 Chance for Niang but he just fails to get a connection on a chipped ball forward. A warning for Liverpool there.
52 Niang drops deep but his pass forward for Kone is cut out.
51 Taiwo clips the heels of Kuyt on the Liverpool right.
49 Chris thinks "we have a great chance doin both champ leaugue an the league, only thing holding us back is Benitez I think, he can make some weird first team choices sometimes, hasn been as bad this year but he also makes some rash decisions on players to bring on at important times in matches!!! If Benitez sorts that out we will be sorted!!C'mon Pool!!!"
48 Zubar gets free at the back post again but sends his header wide. He was offside in any case.
47 Zubar makes a good challenge on Torres inside the box at the expense of a corner.
46 Liverpool get the second half under way. Andrea Dossena is on for Liverpool to replace Aurelio.
Kris Jones says: "Keith, you should learn your Liverpool history as a Bluenose. Yes, Shanks lead us into Europe for the first time but we were only champions of the UEFA cup under him, Rafa won the European cup, the BIG one."
Keith Abbot says: "I know Benitez passes Shankly's Euro record tonight, but it not an impressive record to attain. Shanks took Liverpool from nothing to Euro champs, These days it's easier to qualify for the CL, and there are a lot more meaningless games. Shanks also did it over many more years. And I'm an Evertonian !"
Liverpool have barely moved out of third gear but lead 1-0. Marseille have enjoyed plenty of possession but have failed to really trouble Liverpool in the final third, a few long-range shots apart. Marseille need to win this game which may play in into Liverpool's hands in the second 45.
45 The half-time whistle goes with Liverpool leading 1-0 thanks to Gerrard's strike.
45 Reira finds space on the edge of the box and his shot on the turn is turned round the post by Mandanda.
45 There will be one minute of added time.
45 Gerrard hauls down Zubar from behind with a sliding challenge and is lucky not to be shown a yellow card.
43 Promising break by Marseille but Ben Arfa's shot from the edge of the box lacks power and Reina gathers.
42 Cheyrou almost finds Kone with a through ball but Arbeloa cuts it out superbly.
41 The visiting fans are still making a fantastic noise even though their side is 1-0 down. Marseille have played some really good stuff but it's hard to see where goals will come from.
39 Ben Arfa carelessly strokes the ball out of play and Liverpool have a throw.
38 Marseille need to win the game and they will be buoyed by the fact Liverpool haven't kept a clean sheet in this group yet.
37 From the corner, Reina makes a mess of it, completely misjudging the flight of the ball and Zubar heads over when it looked easier to score. Great chance for Marseille.
36 Great strike from long range by Taiwo which Rein does fantastically well to touch onto the post and divert for a corner. What a hit by the defender.
35 Ziani's decent ball into the box is completely missed by all of his team-mates.
34 In the other game in this group, Atletico lead PSV 2-0 so Liverpool are up against it as far as topping the group goes.
32 Torres has been quiet so far, he hasn't scored at Anfield yet this season, will he get it tonight?
31 Again Marseille keep the ball really well under pressure but don't trouble Liverpool in the final third.
30 Bonnart delivers the ball into the box from deep but none of his team-mates can get on the end of it.
29 Torres almost gets on the end of a through ball but Taiwo defends well.
28 Marseille gift possession back to Liverpool but Albert Reira can't make the most of it.
26 Liverpool are enjoying the bulk of possession now, Gerrard's goal looks to have deflated the French side.
25 Marseille must really go for it now, they need to win here and that will surely play into Liverpool's hands.
23 GOAL - Who else on a Champions League night but Gerrard? He ghosts in at the back post completely unmarked and powers a header past Mandanda in the visiting goal. Excellent header and Liverpool have the lead
22 First real chance of the game falls to Kuyt. Good play by Torres on the right as he beats his man and chips into the middle for Kuyt but it's a difficult header for the Dutchman and although Mandanda makes the save, he makes a meal of it.
21 Niang has picked up a knock now but it looks like he can continue without treatment.
20 Marseille lose possession again in their own third and Kuyt almost finds Torres with a cut-back but it's cut out. Marseille look comfortable but have made a few errors at the back.
19 Gerrard's first-time pass out wide is overhit. Liverpool are struggling to break down Marseille at the moment.
18 Kone is back on the field after his short spell of treatment.
17 Daniel Agger pushes forward and lets fly at goal from 25 yards out with his left foot but it's an easy take for Steve Mandanda.
16 The striker is receiving treatment and has gone off, for how long we don't know yet. But play resumes with Liverpool in possession.
14 Great skill by Ben Arfa as he beats two men in his own half before feeding Niang but the move breaks down inside the box as Bakari Kone goes to ground and stays there clutching his shoulder.
13 Hatem Ben Arfa runs the ball out of play on the left flank and Liverpool have a throw.
12 Lee Dawes answers the point about Liverpool's home form. He says: "now i understand that the home form as not been what were used to seeing but we have managed to keep pace with chelsea and also stay ahead of man u and arsenal so i dont think that this is a problem yes we would love it to be like the past couple of seasons but if we lift the title at end of season who cares"
11 Marseille are having a go here, they have to, if they don't win they are out.
10 The Marseille fans are making all the noise in the first 10 minutes, we've hardly heard a peep from the home fans so far.
9 Blake Tovey reckons: "Great decision by Benitez to drop keane - hes been a real flop so far. great to see gerrard back and i predict a 3-0 win for liverpool. A torres double and a superb strike from gerrard - having these 2 back fully fit will really aid our title ambitions - champions league and premiership winners 2009!!"
8 Kuyt takes advantage of a mistake at the back but his low cross looking for Fernando Torres is cut out unconvincingly by Bonnart.
7 Dirk Kuyt tries to release Steven Gerrard on the right but his ball is just too long.
6 Liverpool press the ball well but the visitors look good in possession and Jamie Carragher is forced to scramble clear a Taiwo cross.
5 Buddy Stamper isn't convinced about Benitez's team selection, saying: "This game is important to Rafa and Liverpool but I would have preferred a more attacking team!"
3 Alvaro Arbeloa almost gets in behind the Marseille full-back Taiwo but eventually the last touch is by the Liverpool man and it's a goal-kick to the visitors.
2 Shannon emails in to say: "Gareth, im watching your minute by minute update from my desk at work in New Zealand and am looking forward to a reds win. After the unconvincing display against Fulham I'm hoping the reds will come out firing and put Marseille away early." Liverpool haven't been firing on all cylinders at home this season, drawing with Stoke and struggling in other games, how much of a concern is that for Reds fans?
1 Marseille get the game under way here at Anfield.
live commentary from skysports.com
vs. 
