Ian Rush scored twice in quick succession after half-time as Liverpool beat Panathinaikos 4–0 at Anfield on 10 April 1985. John Wark had broken through before the interval; Jim Beglin added the fourth to leave the European Cup holders with a substantial semi-final advantage for the return in Athens.
Panathinaikos initially held Liverpool with close marking. They also had a goal disallowed for offside after Juan Rocha's long shot escaped Bruce Grobbelaar. Kevin MacDonald tested Thomas Laftsis from distance at the other end, and another of his drives eventually broke the resistance. The goalkeeper pushed it against a post and Wark followed in to score.
Rush then made the opening minutes of the second half decisive. Ronnie Whelan crossed from the left for his header; soon afterwards Sammy Lee intercepted and supplied Rush for Liverpool's third. The striker had escaped his marker for both finishes.
Kenny Dalglish helped Liverpool find space throughout the evening and provided the final goal from a free-kick. His delivery picked out Beglin arriving from the opposite flank, and the left-back headed in late on.
Liverpool had four goals and had conceded none before a crowd of 39,488. The second leg was scheduled for 24 April: a place in the final still had to be secured there.