Yossi Benayoun was the main beneficiary, scoring a hat-trick, and there were two goals apiece for Crouch, making a rare start, and Ryan Babel, with Steven Gerrard getting the other. Crouch started and finished the rout, his second goal ensuring that Liverpool eclipsed the previous Champions League record win.

"I can't remember the last 8-0 game I played in," Crouch said. "It was probably in my schoolboy days. We were under a bit of pressure and it was a great result for us. But although it's a big win, we need to continue the good form and make sure that we qualify."

Reds boss Rafa Benitez said: "We need to win the next two games, but at least we have confidence. You try to win trophies and to be in the record books, but if you can't win a trophy, at least it's nice to have a record. It was a really good performance. We could talk about individuals, but I prefer to talk about all the team."