Raul was little more than a helpless bystander as Liverpool swept aside nine-time winners Madrid in comprehensive fashion thanks to two goals from captain Steven Gerrard, another from former Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres and a late fourth from substitute Andrea Dossena.

That four-goal demolition completed a 5-0 aggregate victory for Rafael Benitez's men and meant Madrid failed to get beyond the last 16 stage for the fifth successive year.

"They (Liverpool) were better in every respect. Once again we are out of the Champions League," said Raul, who has won three Champions League crowns and played well over 100 matches in the competition.

"We had high hopes for the match, but all that remains is to congratulate Liverpool because they've shown themselves to be a better team. There are no excuses.

"I want to think the fans for supporting us and apologise to them. The defeat is my most painful in the Champions League, a 4-0 loss hurts."

With Madrid now out of both the Champions League and Copa del Rey, the only piece of silverware still available for Juande Ramos' men is the Primera Liga.

Madrid are currently six points behind leaders Barcelona in the standings and this weekend must travel to Copa del Rey finalists Athletic Bilbao.

Raul said in Marca: "We must lift ourselves because there is still the league and we cannot give up on that.

"The next few days are not going to be easy, but we need to be calm because on Saturday we have an important game and we must raise our morale.

"There are cycles you go through and you have to accept them. Real Madrid went 32 years without winning the Champions League, then came another cycle where we always reached the semi-finals, and now we are suffering. We need to continue working."

Spain international Sergio Ramos added: "I want to congratulate our opponents on the match they played. We were eager to turn the tie around but they went out really fired up and have caught us by surprise.

"We have to apologise to the fans for not having got the victory we looked for and wanted."

Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro, who has a World Cup winners medal and a FIFA World Player of the Year award amongst his silverware-laden trophy cabinet but never a Champions League success, said: "It's clear the dressing room is quite low, but we must get over it because we have another tough match on Saturday.

"We feel sorry for the Real Madrid fans, who were very excited about the Champions League. Now we only have La Liga to play for. We must be a better, stronger team."