Torres takes Reds into Atletico semi

08 April 2010 22:20
iverpool beat Benfica 4-1 in Thursday's Europa League game as Fernando Torres set up a semi-final tie against his former club Atletico Madrid.[LNB] Torres struck twice as the Reds produced a devastating attacking performance to power past their Portuguese opponents and reach the last four.[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]They left the field frustrated after being held at Birmingham on Saturday but, after a slow start, their determination to progress in this competition soon became obvious.[LNB]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.[LNB]Jamie Carragher and Sotirios Kyrgiakos started in central defence while Javier Mascherano replaced the ineligible Maxi Rodriguez.[LNB]Torres, who was controversially substituted at Birmingham to rest a knee injury, showed worrying signs of discomfort in the early stages.[LNB]His mobility was not helped by a crude early challenge from Sidnei and that set the tone for a night of rough treatment for the Spaniard, who had clearly been identified as the dangerman.[LNB]Benfica actually started the stronger and had an early opportunity after Carragher pushed the charging Pablo Aimar over on the edge of the box.[LNB]Angel di Maria's free-kick went straight into the wall and was put behind for a corner.[LNB]Liverpool took time to find their stride and it was not until the 15th minute that they worried Benfica as Steven Gerrard's whipped free-kick was headed behind by Amorim.[LNB]Gerrard then fired in a cross for Torres but the striker, who headed straight at Julio Cesar anyway, was offside.[LNB]Torres had another chance from a Glen Johnson cross but his glancing header went wide.[LNB]The Reds were taking charge and although Benfica continued to look dangerous on the break, they carried the greater threat.[LNB]They levelled the tie in the 27th minute after Yossi Benayoun won a corner on the left.[LNB]Gerrard delivered a perfect cross for Dirk Kuyt from the resulting set-piece and the Dutchman firmly headed home from six yards.[LNB]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.[LNB]Liverpool protested and the referee and additional assistant behind the goal agreed the goal should stand.[LNB]With an away goal in the bank, that gave the Reds the edge overall but they had the momentum and wanted more.[LNB]They followed up with a second goal six minutes later as Gerrard slipped the often-maligned Lucas in on goal with a superb ball.[LNB]The Brazilian showed great composure to swerve around Cesar and tap in his first goal in 11 months.[LNB]The job was far from done, however, and Liverpool survived a couple of scares before the break as Cardozo fired a free-kick at Jose Reina and Sidnei had a shot deflected for a corner.[LNB]But Benfica captain Luisao almost handed Liverpool another goal early in the second half.[LNB]Kuyt won possession on the right and fed Gerrard, who delivered a low ball across the box.[LNB]Luisao slid in to make the interception but lost control and needed Cesar to palm it away.[LNB]Liverpool's deserved third arrived just before the hour from a swift counter-attack.[LNB]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.[LNB]Benayoun raced into the Benfica half and spread the ball wide for Kuyt, whose first-time cross was swept in by the onrushing Torres.[LNB]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.[LNB]Cardozo, who scored two penalties in the first leg, blasted in a low shot through a gap in the wall.[LNB]Benayoun conceded another free-kick in a similar position for tripping the same player four minutes later but this time Cardozo's curling effort flew narrowly wide.[LNB]The Reds battled on and showed the resolve to kill off the tie eight minutes from time.[LNB]Lucas won the ball in midfield with a powerful challenge and Mascherano sent Torres clear with a brilliant pass.[LNB]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.[LNB]Liverpool could at last breathe easily and took off Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun in the closing minutes.[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk