With just eight minutes remaining of the Champions League first leg clash in the Spanish capital, Benayoun rose unmarked inside the area to head home an unstoppable goal following a brilliant free kick delivery from Fabio Aurelio.

It was no more than Liverpool deserved after yet another mature, controlled and often dominant performance in Madrid, and Rafael Benitez's men will now be odds on favourites to finish the tie at Anfield and secure a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Cheered on by a capacity crowd still revelling in the 6-1 destruction of Real Betis at the weekend, the Madrid supporters ensured the atmosphere reached fever pitch before kick off, while the three thousand Liverpool fans housed high up in the Bernabeu gods were making themselves heard loud and clear.

As expected, captain Steven Gerrard's fitness wasn't risked and he started the game on the bench, but Xabi Alonso was recalled in midfield, while Fernando Torres was paired with Dirk Kuyt in attack.

It was Torres who should have opened the scoring - and broken his duck of never having scored at the Bernabeu - after 20 minutes when he latched onto a defensive slip by the home side and charged clear on goal, only to see his powerful right footed shot expertly turned to safety by Iker Casillas.

It was a golden opportunity in a half of few clear cut chances, as Madrid's early territorial dominance was well contained by a Liverpool side who grew in stature as the opening period went on.

Real always looked dangerous on the break, with Raul and Marcelo both bringing comfortable saves out of Reina, whose most difficult moment in the first half was to keep out a shot which had been deflected towards goal by Albert Riera.

On the stroke of the break Casillas was forced into action again as Xabi Alonso attempted one of his trademark long range efforts from inside his own half, but his Spanish international teammate comfortably back-tracked in time to divert the dipping shot over the bar.

Madrid made a tactical switch at the break, bringing on midfielder Guti in place of Marcelo, but it was Liverpool who took the initiative in the early stages of the second half with Alonso firing wide with a left footed volley and Cannavaro - who was booked for a late challenge - was forced into a last ditch challenge inside the area.

But at the other end Madrid remained dangerous, particularly when former Chelsea man Arjen Robben picked up possession, and one mazy run after 52 minutes came to an end with a poor shot into the side netting.

Fernando Torres - presumably still feeling the effects of a first half knock - was replaced after an hour, with Ryan Babel brought into the action to try and capitalise on the space the home defence was beginning to allow the Reds on the break.

But it was Madrid with the next effort on goal, a stinging drive after another eye-catching run which Reina was pleased to be able to fingertip over for a corner.

With the game looking set to end in what would have been an acceptable goalless draw, Benayoun headed home Aurelio's centre to leave the travelling Kopites wild with delight as they prepared to savour yet another famous victory away from home in Europe.

The tie is still far from over, but to beat an in-form Madrid side without Steven Gerrard for 80 minutes and without Fernando Torres for the best part of half an hour, this Liverpool team look well and truly in the mood to make another incredible impression on the Champions League this season.

Bring on the second leg and another Anfield night not to be missed.