Liverpool grind down poor Porto

Fowler blazed over in the 21st minute, while Owen tested goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov with a stinging 20-yard drive three minutes later.

Liverpool were on the back foot for much of the second half but they still went close to stunning a half-empty stadium with a first-time, half-volley by Steven Gerrard that produced a flying save from Ovchinnikov.

Gerrard has been hailed as a prospective England captain, let alone mainstay of midfield, and showed why before an approving Sven Goran Eriksson.

A troublesome groin injury prevented him taking his place in Eriksson's first England squad against Spain last month.

But there was no sign of it last night as the England manager'swhistle-stop tour of the Continent ended with a familiar show of assurance from Liverpool's remarkably mature 20-year-old.

Eriksson had already taken in Leeds United's clash with Real Madrid in Spain and Manchester United's unconvincing draw in Athens against Panathinaikos.

He completed his trip with a look at a Liverpool side containing four England candidates in their starting line-up.

Fowler and Owen worked hard up front, while Jamie Carragher played his part in an efficient defensive display that owed much to the expert covering of Stephane Henchoz. It was Gerrard, though, who took the eye with a reminder of his wide range of skills.

Whether covering acres of ground to nullify Porto attacks or spraying passes to both flanks to put his own side on the attack, there was a quality about the Huyton-born midfielder's work that set him aside from the rest.

Indeed, his ability to strike the cleanest of shots gave Liverpool their best chance. When Markus Babbel's 60th-minute free kick was only half-cleared, Gerrard chested it down and unleashed his half-volley that Ovchinnikov did well to turn away.

It was one of precious few clear-cut opportunities in a cagey, tactical battle played out in a strangely subdued atmosphere, though Owen might have done better in the second half when he was put through by Fowler but allowed Jorge Costa to crowd him out.

While rarely looking threatening, Liverpool were seldom troubled at the back as they continued their impressive away form in Europe.

Sander Westerveld reacted well to beat away a fierce drive from Chainho in the 41st minute but should have been picking the ball out of his net when Pena at last escaped the shackles of Liverpool's defence and lined up a left-foot volley in front of goal.

Porto's leading scorer hung his head in anguish after shooting woefully wide and leaving Liverpool with a seemingly straightforward route into the semi-finals next week.