Europa League Review:Fernando Torres struck twice as Liverpool produced a devastating attacking performance to power past Benfica into the Europa League semi-finals where they will also be joined by Roy Hodgson's Fulham side after tonight's 1-0 win over Wolfsburg in Germany. Both Premier League sides were kept apart in the last four.
Dirk Kuyt and Lucas were also on target on a pulsating night at Anfield as the Reds overturned a 2-1 deficit from the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
Their first-leg nemesis Oscar Cardozo threatened to make life difficult with a goal that made it 3-1 on the night but Torres’ second delightful finish ended the contest.
It was a performance that came in marked contrast to Liverpool’s struggles in the Premier League and their increasingly forlorn attempts to finish fourth.
Their determination to progress in this competition soon became obvious. They made two changes from the weekend, the key one being the deployment of first-leg goalscorer Daniel Agger in the unfamiliar role of left-back due to Emiliano Insua’s suspension.
Jamie Carragher and Sotirios Kyrgiakos started in central defence while Javier Mascherano replaced the ineligible Maxi Rodriguez.
Torres, who was controversially substituted at Birmingham to rest a knee injury, showed worrying signs of discomfort in the early stages.
Benfica started the stronger and had an early opportunity after Carragher pushed the charging Pablo Aimar over on the edge of the box.
They levelled the tie in the 27th minute after Yossi Benayoun won a corner on the left. Gerrard delivered a perfect cross for Dirk Kuyt from the resulting set-piece and the Dutchman firmly headed home from six yards.
A moment of confusion followed as the goal initially appeared to have been disallowed as the assistant referee on the far side flagged for offside.
Liverpool protested and the referee and additional assistant behind the goal agreed the goal should stand.
With an away goal in the bank, that gave the Reds the edge overall but they had the momentum and wanted more.
They followed up with a second goal six minutes later as Gerrard slipped the often-maligned Lucas in on goal with a superb ball.
The Brazilian showed great composure to swerve around Cesar and tap in his first goal in 11 months.
Liverpool’s deserved third arrived just before the hour from a swift counter-attack. Lucas was struck between the legs as the Reds defended a free-kick inside their own half and left their colleague in pain as they charged downfield.
Benayoun raced into the Benfica half and spread the ball wide for Kuyt, whose first-time cross was swept in by the onrushing Torres.
The atmosphere at this point was raucous, but anxiety soon set in as Benfica pulled one back on 70 minutes after Kuyt fouled Ramires on the edge of the area.
Cardozo, who scored two penalties in the first leg, blasted in a low shot through a gap in the wall.
The Reds battled on and showed the resolve to kill off the tie eight minutes from time. Lucas won the ball in midfield with a powerful challenge and Mascherano sent Torres clear with a brilliant pass.
Torres made no mistake as he raced into the area and clipped the ball over substitute goalkeeper Moreira - a replacement for the injured Cesar just moments earlier - with delicate poise.
Liverpool could at last breathe easily and took off Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun in the closing minutes.
Fulham’s extraordinary season took another twist as they secured their place in the semi-finals with tonight’s 1-0 win over Wolfsburg to win 3-1 on aggregate.
Bobby Zamora’s 19th goal of the season after just 21 seconds secured the aggregate success after a disciplined performance from Hodgson’s side.
The German champions rarely threatened the Cottagers, who will now face Hamburg for a place in the final.
Zamora was a constant threat and his performance was even more impressive given that he had been a doubt before the game with an Achilles injury.
Chris Baird was preferred to fit-again Stephen Kelly at right-back while Wolfsburg defender Jan Simunek replaced the injured Alexander Madlung, who scored a late away goal for the Bundesliga champions in last week’s first leg.
Zamora’s return was a welcome boost for Fulham, who had beaten the likes of Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk to reach the last eight of the competition.
Hodgson had stressed the need to pressure Wolfsburg early on and his side duly obliged by taking the lead after just 21 seconds.
Uefa Europa League Quarter-final results
Atletico Madrid 0-0 Valencia
(agg 2-2: Atletico win on away goals)
Liverpool 4-1 Benfica
(Liverpool win 5-3 on agg)
Standard Liege 1-3 Hamburg
(Hamburg win 2-5 on agg)
Wolfsburg 0-1 Fulham
(Fulham win 1-3 on agg)
Semi-Final Draw
Atletico Madrid v Liverpool
Hamburg SV v Fulham
(semi-final first legs will be played on April 22 with the second legs scheduled for April 29)