GROUP D:THE CONTEST was all but irrelevant, but Liverpool still found riches on their visit to Eindhoven last night: a victory over the Dutch side, securing top spot in Group D and their manager, Rafael Benitez, learning he is on the brink of extending his tenure at Anfield.
Sources close to Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr have confirmed the American owners have agreed in principle to extend Benitez's contract until 2013, and the deal could be concluded within days.
From the outset the Liverpool manager's priority was a long-term extension rather than an increase on his €4 million-a-year salary, from a deal that still has 18 months to run, and so the offer of a four-and-a-half year contract is unlikely to meet any resistance.
Financial bonuses in the package have still to be ironed out, but even without a significant pay rise the deal will be worth at least €20 million to Benitez.
From employers who 13 months ago were touting Jurgen Klinsmann as a possible successor to the Spaniard, and had initially wanted to follow the US sports-model of a one-year extension for their manager, the offer represents a significant victory for Benitez.
As for negotiating the task of pipping Atletico Madrid to first place in Group D, Liverpool found PSV Eindhoven almost as accommodating as the Americans, although a reshuffled side managed to make life far more troublesome than it should have been.
Robbie Keane returned to the starting line-up following his demotion at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday and produced what is proving his staple fare at Liverpool: a performance that could not be faulted for work-rate or responsibility, but he received precious few chances to improve a return of just four goals this season.
Others with a mandate to impress Benitez on a rare outing included Ryan Babel, the former Ajax winger who has asked for - and been denied - a loan move back to Amsterdam given his lack of opportunity this term, the Brazilian midfielder Lucas, jeered by Liverpool supporters during his last start against Fulham, and the young French striker David Ngog.
PSV's interest in the contest appeared as casual as Liverpool's, yet despite a limited attacking threat they created the clearer openings of a sterile first half before edging in front in the 36th minute. The goal encapsulated the match itself.
In attempting to clear a PSV corner, Javier Mascherano headed against Dirk Marcellis's arm and the ball dropped from the Dutch defender to Danko Lazovic, who converted beyond reserve goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri.
Despite Babel's prompting down the right, Liverpool rarely stretched the defence and Keane spent most of the night shaking his head at the misplaced passes he was supposed to chase.
Even so, Benitez's team levelled with remarkable ease in first-half stoppage time when Babel scored only his second goal of the campaign. Lucas sent in a free-kick from the right and Babel ghosted away from Otman Bakkal and glanced a header through the suspect guard of former Manchester City goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson.
Liverpool were comfortable throughout the second period, and the goals that secured their progress as group winners were exquisite. Albert Riera drove them ahead for the first time in the 68th minute when he was invited to attack a retreating defence and duly made them pay with a stunning strike into the top corner from 25 yards.
An evening of frustration for Keane, who selflessly elected to pass to Ngog when he had sight of goal himself, and was on the wrong end of several dubious refereeing decisions, finally gained the reward his display merited in Liverpool's third.
The Republic of Ireland captain volleyed a superb pass through the PSV rearguard for Ngog to sprint clear and finish with style under Isaksson, and to secure another milestone for his manager.
The victory earned Benitez another mention in the Anfield history books, as this was his 40th win in 67 European games, taking him beyond Bob Paisley's 39 continental triumphs. The word from the US should ensure many more.
Guardian Service
PSV: Isaksson, Culina, Marcellis, Brechet, Salcido, Mendez (Manco 80), Simons, Dzsudzsak, Bakkal (Nijland 83), Lazovic, Amrabat (Koevermans 72). Subs not used: Cassio, Rodriguez, Pieters, Wuytens. Booked: Simons, Mendez.
LIVERPOOL: Cavalieri, Arbeloa (Darby 69), Carragher (Kelly 81), Agger, Dossena, Mascherano, Leiva Lucas, Babel, Ngog, Riera (Spearing 76), Keane. Subs not used: Reina, Gerrard, Alonso, Benayoun. Booked: Riera, Arbeloa, Dossena.
Referee: Nikolai Ivanov (Russia).
