Defending champions Liverpool won the Champions League Group G on Tuesday after holding English title holders Chelsea to a 0-0 away draw.
Both sides had already qualified for the knockout stage and all that was at stake was first or second place in the group.
Liverpool finished with 12 points, Chelsea 11, Real Betis seven to qualify for the UEFA Cup and Anderlecht breaking their duck on Tuesday with three.
At Stamford Bridge, both managers had sought to play down the importance of the tie, Chelsea's Jose Mourinho saying it was of little consequence and Rafael Benitez insisting he wanted his team to finish unscathed so they could contest the Champion Clubs' Cup in Japan later this month.
Both put out strong sides, however, who gave every impression at the start of playing to win.
But with no goals to reward forays upfield the match often became mired in midfield, Liverpool defending deeply their point advantage in the group.
"They defend very well, everybody behind the ball, they press they close spaces," Mourinho said, adding he thought no side in Europe would come to Stamford Bridge in the knockout stages and play so defensively.
INTO ACTION
Jose Manuel Reina was called into action in the seventh minute to turn a sharp shot from Frank Lampard round the post.
Towards the end of the half Eidur Gudjohnsen touched the ball into Lampard's path with the goal gaping but it ran too fast for the England midfielder.
Liverpool's best chance came on the half hour when Steven Gerrard put John Arne Riise through but a diving Petr Cech saved with his feet.
Liverpool have beaten Chelsea under Jose Mourinho only once in eight meetings but that was the big one -- the semi-final of last season's Champions League.
It was the second time in succession Chelsea had lost at the semi-final stage. Liverpool beat AC Milan in the final in Istanbul after staging a stunning comeback from 3-0 down.
This season they were favourites to qualify from a tough group and fulfilled expectations.
LIVELY START
Dutch winger Arjen Robben livened things up at the start of the second half when his close-range shot spun just wide of the post and for a while the game opened up.
In the 67th minute Lampard, runner-up for European footballer of the year and shortlisted for the world accolade, missed another golden opportunity when he skyed a pass from Ireland winger Damien Duff.
Liverpool rarely threatened in the second period and Chelsea failed to capitalise on their final chance in the last five minutes when they could not force the ball home in a goalmouth scramble with the Merseysiders bringing everyone back into defence.
"We have more points than the others so we have done a good job," Benitez said. "Normally it's better to finish first but it depends on the draw."
Benitez was clearly unhappy about a challenge by Michael Essien on Dietmar Hamann in the first half when the Ghana midfielder appeared to stamp on the German's leg.
He refused to criticise the referee, however. Tightlipped he commented: "I have seen his leg. I have seen the video. You watch the video and decide."
Hamann said: "It was the worst tackle I have ever received. I though my leg was broken."
The draw for the knockout stages takes place on December 16.
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