Source: Liverpool_Echo
Fernando Torres magic wows Diego Maradona as Liverpool FC overcome Lille
IF it's good enough for Diego Maradona, it's good enough for now - it may not have been a performance to go down in Anfield folklore but it keeps the adventure alive.[LNB]Liverpool's history is littered with stirring, come-from-behind victories in Europe, the sort that have captured the imagination from Bootle to Buenos Aires. Just ask Maradona - he became a fan of the club after one unforgettable evening in Istanbul.[LNB] Buy this photoThe Argentinian manager Diego Maradonain the crowd at Anfield before kick-off Buy this photoThe Argentinian manager Diego Maradonain the crowd at Anfield before kick-off Buy this photoThe Argentinian manager Diego Maradonain the crowd at Anfield before kick-off Buy this photoThe Argentinian manager Diego Maradonain the crowd at Anfield before kick-off Buy this photoThe Argentinian manager Diego Maradonain the crowd at Anfield before kick-off Diego Maradona watches before the Europa League round of 16, second leg soccer match between Liverpool and Lille at Anfield Diego Maradona watches before the Europa League round of 16, second leg soccer match between Liverpool and Lille at Anfield Argentina's Diego Maradona celebrates scoring against England goal during an exhibition soccer game at Cuscatlan stadium in 2006 AP Photo/Luis Romero) Diego Maradona waves to the crowd during his farwell match at Boca JuniorsGracing Anfield with his presence last night, the greatest footballer of his and many generations arrived to run the rule over Javier Mascherano but ended up on his feet, acclaiming the performance of a modern superstar. Mind you, he had no other option.[LNB]To stand any chance of overhauling a first leg deficit against Lille, Liverpool were always going to need Fernando Torres to produce a moment of magic but, as is always the case with this man, he went one better than that.[LNB]His two expert strikes, coupled with Steven Gerrard's first half penalty, were more than sufficient for Liverpool to put their French opponents to the sword and seal a place in the last eight of the Europa League.[LNB]How things change. Last week the same 11 men that started this match looked on their knees when they boarded the plane to take them home after the first leg; now they are rubbing their hands at the prospect of future challenges.[LNB]Is there a club in the country capable of triggering such emotions? From the depths of despair to the highs of joy, Liverpool's rollercoaster campaign, say it ever so quietly, might yet end on a high - in Hamburg on May 12 - after all.[LNB]Yes, they will have to improve on the 90 minutes that saw them ease past Lille but, now they are into the quarter-finals of the Europa League, do you think many will start betting against them, given their recent pedigree?[LNB]Scoring seven goals in three days is the best possible preparation for Sunday's trip to Old Trafford and Liverpool simply must use the impetus from this display to set about achieving the two targets for which they are aiming; it would be careless if they did not.[LNB]Great European nights at Anfield have invariably started with an early goal and, in keeping with tradition, the breakthrough that those in the stands and on the field craved arrived as some supporters were still settling into their seats.[LNB]Would Lucas have played had Alberto Aquilani not been struck down with a stomach bug? Only Benitez knows the answer to that but the Brazilian seized the chance with which he was presented, bursting into the area to invite a rash tackle from Adil Rami.[LNB]There was never any question that referee Nicola Rizzoli would point to the spot and, with the minimum of fuss, Steven Gerrard sent Mickael Landreau the wrong way, sweeping his kick into the left-hand corner of the Kop goal with aplomb.[LNB]Sides more accomplished than Lille have buckled after going behind in the opening exchanges and the longer the game progressed, the more the suspicion began to grow that it was Liverpool's for the taking.[LNB]True, there were moments when Lille threatened to ruin the script - notably when Eden Hazard raced through only for Pepe Reina to inadvertently deny him with his head - but Liverpool were comfortable in the opening 45 minutes.[LNB]They should have gone into the break leading the tie, not just the game, but Torres missed an opening from a Dirk Kuyt cross that you would normally expect him to tuck away with his eyes closed.
