Liverpool and Celtic advanced to a mouthwatering quarterfinal in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night as both the English and Scottish sides cast aside continental opposition.
Michael Owen scored his 20th European goal to equal Ian Rush's club record in a 2-0 victory over French side Auxerre at Anfield and Celtic went through 5-4 on aggregate despite losing 3-2 at VfB Stuttgart.
It was also a great boost for Liverpool with their League Cup final against Manchester United tomorrow and Celtic was delighted to still be on track for their second European trophy decades after their 1967 European Cup victory.
Owen ran on to a through ball from Danny Murphy midway through the second half and, running straight at the keeper, touched the ball into the net for his 20th European goal in 41 matches.
Welshman Rush was Liverpool's top targetman during their glory years in the late 1970s and early 1980s when they won three European Cups but now Owen has matched his goal-scoring exploits.
A modest Owen said afterwards when questioned about his record-breaking performance, "It's just satisfying to get into the next round."
Murphy scored a 30m second goal thanks to a spectacular gaffe by Auxerre keeper Fabien Cool who failed to save a shot aimed straight at him.
Liverpool looked nervous and uncertain as they defended their slim, 1-0 lead from the first leg in France but finally got the goal they were desperately after, but had barely looked like achieving.
Owen took a Murphy pass, fractionally onside, strode on and lifted the ball gently past Cool and into the bottom corner.
The tie was ended as a contest in the 73rd minute when Gerrard fed Murphy some 30m out and the tough midfielder's well-struck drive was too hot for Cool to handle.
Houllier could now start thinking about tomorrow and Manchester United in the League Cup final and Henchoz was taken off to allow Igor Biscan into defense.
Owen almost added another just before the end when he hurled himself at Vladimir Smicer's cross and lifted his shot over the bar.
As for Celtic's victory, Alan Thompson got the first goal in the 13th minute, following good work by John Hartson and Didier Agathe, with Chris Sutton getting the second two minutes later.
Three late goals earned Stuttgart victory on the night and Celtic had to endure a jittery, closing spell, with its narrow lead.
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