Torres fires Reds into semis

Liverpool became standard-bearers for English football in Europe last night with a classy destruction of Benfica.

The Reds marched into the semi-finals of the Europa League where their more fancied Premier League rivals failed in the Champions' League, with a breath-taking performance at Anfield.

Goals from Dirk Kuyt, Lucas and two from Fernando Torres, showed that the English are not quite a spent force on the continent, even if this remains UEFA's consolation prize.

They did it in style too, the goals from Torres summing up a quite brilliant display, with two quite outstanding finishes, to kill off a talented Benfica side.

His first was breath-taking - a sweeping move on 58 minutes, as Lucas took one for his team by blocking a shot with the most painful part of his anatomy, to allow Yossi Benayoun and Kuyt to move the ball the length of the pitch, before Torres brilliantly turned the ball into the net.

For once, Liverpool even survived a late scare when Benfica scored on 70 minutes, to leave the tie on a knife-edge and the remaining period as tense as anything that has been seen at Anfield.

Oscar Cardozo scored with a free-kick that cruelly deflected off Steven Gerrard in the wall, to suggest another finale like Bayern's dramatic win at Old Trafford.

But the Merseyside club kept their nerve where Manchester United lost theirs, to come through their nerve-jangling test, and keep alive their quest for a trophy to offer consolation in a disappointing season.

It was Torres who saw off Benfica with a second nine minutes from time to give Liverpool the semi-final they craved, and again it was a dazzling finish as he darted onto Mascherano's ball, to coolly chip over Benfica's sub keeper Moreira.

For his contribution, Torres was even allowed the luxury of remaining on the pitch until the final five minutes, and his joy was unconfined as he and Gerrard celebrated the chance to reach a major final, and the Anfield crowd joining in the party.

What Liverpool would have given for the start Manchester United enjoyed on Wednesday night, but from the opening moments of this pulsating tie, it was apparent that if any side were pushing early, it was Benfica.

They arrived with the idea of snatching the away goal that piles pressure on the home side, just as they did to record a surprise Champions' League victory here four years ago.

With the pace of Angel Di Maria - watched by a fascinated Roberto Mancini - the precision of the excellent Pablo Aimar and the ability of the giant Oscar Cardozo to hold the ball, the visitors looked a potent threat on the break.

After their experience four years ago, when they eventually succumbed to an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to their Portuguese opponents, Liverpool were not about to go gung-ho, despite the passionate backing of their support.

With Daniel Agger drafted in at left back in place of the suspended Insua, there was a solidity about the Reds backline that suggested they understood the need to protect their own goal before searching for the one which would take them through.

It proved a canny policy from manager Rafa Benitez too, because Benfica looked dangerous early on, and created several situations that had Liverpool stretched.

But once they had weathered the early storm, the dynamics of the game changed, with the side from Lisbon subdued by the strength of their opponents, and perhaps a little inhibited by it too.

Certainly, there was a growing realisation that Benfica were fragile at the back, and Liverpool exploited it perfectly, to take a stunning lead before the interval, with two goals that both exposed the inherent weakness of the opposition.

The crucial opening goal was scored by Dirk Kuyt on 27 minutes, and in keeping with Liverpool's European campaign this season, it wasn't without controversy or blatant refereeing error.

Last week in the first leg in Lisbon, the England club felt cheated by at least three poor decisions from the official which gave Benfica a 2-1 advantage, but they were nothing compared to the mistake made by referee Bjorn Kuipers.

When Steven Gerrard swung a corner across, the perfect delivery found Kuyt standing in front of the keeper to steer a close range header into the net unchallenged.

Inexplicably, the Dutch ref blew for an offence, apparently believing there was a flick on from the delivery, to put Kuyt in an offside position. It was a terrible error, because the ball reached the Reds striker unaided, meaning he had to be onside.

Fortunately for Liverpool, for once sanity prevailed, with the fourth official quickly pointing out the mistake, and almost uniquely the referee accepted his mistake, and overturned his ruling, to award the goal.

It was a farcical moment in keeping with the shocking standard of refereeing in this competition, but at least justice was done.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.