Manchester United yesterday reached the last four on a wave of stunning attacking football; Liverpool barely caused a ripple.

The Reds are now in their eighth European Cup semi-final, and 14th in all Continental competitions.

But they have looked a lot better getting to this stage in previous years than they did on this occasion.

So it is Chelsea again now for Liverpool, a re-run of the semi-final of two years ago, with England at least certain of one club in the Athens final.

PSV finished the game with 10 men after the unfortunate dismissal of teenager Dirk Marcellis on his debut, a decision that even drew sympathy from the Kop.

Peter Crouch scored the winner midway through the second-half, but this was little more than a functional performance that failed to match the creditable efforts of United and Chelsea 24 hours earlier.

Benitez opted to rest both Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher with a 3-0 lead already in the bag from the first match in Holland last week.

Along with Javier Mascherano, they were both on the substitutes' bench. Sami Hyypia, Bolo Zenden and Alvaro Arbeloa were in the starting line-up as Liverpool attempted to secure what was by now an expected semi-final spot.

PSV were missing half a dozen regulars through injury, but at least had their first-choice strike force back in action, Jefferson Farfan who had injured a hamstring in the first-half last week and Arouna Kone, missing the match with a muscle injury.

Without their skipper Gerrard, though, Liverpool can look ordinary, and that is how this match started.

Maybe Liverpool felt they could coast through the occasion, despite the fact the Kop had come to party and kept up a constant barrage of noise.

Alarm bells were ringing in the third minute when Farfan sent in a powerful header from Phillip Cocu's right-wing cross, and it took a fine reflex save from Jose Reina to keep it out.

Then Liverpool lost Craig Bellamy. He attempted to block a cross from Csaba Feher, and only connected with his boot.

The Welshman collapsed behind the goal-line and was eventually carried off on a stretcher, with a damaged right leg, Robbie Fowler coming on as substitute.

Liverpool still struggled to get their game going, but it took a fine save from Gomes to turn away a Crouch effort from Jermaine Pennant's cross.

The arrival of Fowler certainly sparked the crowd even more. Liverpool fans are priming themselves for a final goodbye to their hero, 32 earlier this week.

This could well be his last big European night at Anfield, with the chances of him getting a new contract in the summer remote as Benitez plans major signings.

But, for now, he will take every chance he gets. He came close with a flicked header, and his movement in the box certainly gave PSV something to think about.

The Kop had now decided their heroes were more in the mood for retaining their advantage than extending the lead, and the fans went through their entire repertoire of songs and chants at full blast: European quarter-finals do not come around too often.

But there was little to entertain them on the pitch, and they only had one further chance to cheer in the first half when Carlos Salcido was booked in the 41st minute for a foul on Fowler. Zenden curled the 20-yard free-kick just wide of the post.

Liverpool's urgency hardly improved after the break, and it was PSV coming forward with Reina making another fine save from a Farfan drive.

Patrick Kluivert and China international Sun Xiang were introduced by the Dutch before PSV were totally deflated by a crazy sending off.

Italian referee Roberto Rosetti clearly decided to liven up the proceedings with a ridiculous red card for 18 year-old Marcellis on his debut.

A tackle on Zenden caused the incident, hardly a serious foul and Liverpool's fans booed the decision. PSV were stunned, but resistance was futile and the home fans applauded the youngster from the pitch.

Three minutes later, Liverpool were ahead and the tie was really over. John Arne Riise crossed from the left, Gomes pushed the ball away and Fowler turned it back for Crouch to score from two yards, his 18th of the season.

The game over now, Mark Gonzalez replaced Xabi Alonso in the 71st minute and Gabriel Paletta took over from Daniel Agger soon after.

Another Riise cross spooned up for Crouch to head over the bar from eight yards.

It was that sort of night.

"I don't think it was much of a spectacle but we did a job, got the result," Crouch said after the match.

"We did most of the work in the first leg obviously and it was just a case of seeing it out today, and that's what we did well.

"It was a strange game. All the lads were up for it. If it had stayed 0-0, I'm sure you would've seen more urgency."

Crouch was nevertheless delighted with his own recent form in Europe, adding: "I've been pleased with my form in the Champions League. It's a fantastic competition.

"Hopefully I can keep that run going."

On the forthcoming semi-final against Chelsea, boyhood Blues fan Crouch added: "It's going to be a special occasion. We've had that tie before and hopefully we'll have the same outcome."

The striker admitted the semi-final would be special occasion for his family.

"My dad will be pleased," he said.

"It's local for him as well so it'll be a special occasion for myself, my family and everyone connected with Liverpool.

"I won the FA Cup last year and hopefully can go one better this year."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was pleased with his side's professionalism.

"We knew that it would be difficult because the mentality of the players when you are controlling the game, you don't concede any chances and you be more relaxed."

Benitez hailed Crouch's contribution, saying: "Now he has the confidence all strikers need.

"I hope he can keep scoring goals until the end of the season."

As for the Chelsea clash, Benitez added: "We know it will be really difficult because Chelsea are a very good team.

"But we know that if we play to our level, we can beat them."

Benitez accepts it may be "a little bit" of an advantage to be playing the first leg at Stamford Bridge but added: "Chelsea are a good team playing away now, as you could see the other day against Valencia."