British interest in this season's competition ended on a miserable night at Anfield, Liverpool comprehensively defeated by the largely unheralded ball players of Celta Vigo.
Hopelessly under-strength and bedevilled by inconsistency, the Merseysiders were outplayed and outmanoeuvred, much as they had been a fortnight earlier.
They never seemed capable of overturning the first-leg deficit and but for the improbable excellence of the goalkeeper David James, it would have been an embarrassment more than a simple defeat.
On a night which cried out for old hands to utilise their experience Liverpool were lacking Paul Ince, Steve McManaman, Jamie Redknapp and Vegard Heggem, all suspended.
And so Liverpool fielded a weakened midfield and a fit but appallingly generous defence which, surprisingly, featured Dominic Matteo for the first time this season.
It is this relative paucity of resources which has prompted Gerard Houllier to search for players. The Liverpool manager is studying a shortlist of six men, mostly central defenders who can pass the ball thoughtfully.
Before the match he was even attempting to sign one of Arsenal's primary targets, Cyril Domoraud. The France Under-21 international is likely to leave Marseille on a free in the summer and will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement on January 1st.
The match was barely 60 seconds old when Phil Babb did his utmost to render meaningless everything that was to follow. It was classic Babb - his inability to control a long clearance which dropped over his left shoulder inviting Juan Sanchez to collect and sprint clear. The Spaniard should have scored but the sight of James scurrying forward distracted him, and his low shot hit the goalkeeper before drifting over the crossbar.
The game moved between the penalty areas at almost reckless speed as the two sides chased quite differing objectives, Liverpool a route back and Vigo the goal which would put them in the comfort zone.
Despite Liverpool's frenetic work-rate the visitors seemed the more likely scorers simply because their approach, particularly in central midfield, was more measured and far more composed.
Once Liverpool's initial adrenaline rush had subsided the better of the chances fell to Spanish feet. Sanchez enjoyed a second inviting opportunity after 13 minutes but as he shaped to turn home Valeri Karpin's low cross from the right wing, Jamie Carragher intervened.
Curiously Houllier chose not to toss caution to the wind during the interval, stiffening midfield by introducing Danny Murphy rather than pepping up attack with Karlheinz Riedle. A strange decision. Still Vigo swept forward and with Liverpool pushing more and more bodies up front a Spanish breakthrough always seemed close.
It almost came five minutes after the re-start when Karpin climaxed a fine four-man move with a raking drive that James did well to deflect to safety with his leg.
And then Liverpool were consumed by the inevitable. In the 56th minute their defence was scattered by Claude Makelele's marvellous cross-field pass to Michael Revivo.
He waltzed past both Murphy and Steven Gerrard before steering home low and hard. It was a fine goal, beautifully crafted and well deserved. Liverpool's response? Why, to introduce Riedle.
Liverpool: James (Friedel 63), McAteer, Carragher, Staunton, Babb (Murphy 46), Matteo, Gerrard, Thompson (Riedle 59), Berger, Fowler, Owen. Subs Not Used: Kvarme, Harkness, Bjornebye, Wright. Booked: Carragher, Berger, Murphy.
Celta Vigo: Dutruel, Salgado, Berges, Cacares, Mazinho (Caires 86), Karpin, Revivo (Tomas 70), Sanchez (Gudel 76), Djorovic, Mostovoi, Makelele. Subs Not Used: Pinto, Cainzos, Eggen, Lopez. Goal: Revivo 57.
Referee: H Strampe (Germany).
