Reds Power Past Benfica

Liverpool are through to the semi finals of the Europa League after a fantastic performance at Anfield earned them a 4-1 win on the night, and a 5-3 aggregate triumph. In a dominant display, the Reds performed magnificently, passing the ball with confidence, and attacking with purpose. Goals from Dirk Kuyt, Lucas and a brace from the on form Fernando Torres secured safe passage through to the last four, where we will meet Athletico Madrid.

Torres used to captain Athletico Madrid, and will be looking forward to returning to his home city, especially after missing the opportunity to play against his old team-mates two seasons ago. Liverpool and Athletico were both in Group D during the 2008/2009 Champions League campaign, however Torres missed both group stage matches because of injury.

Before the game Rafa Benitez had a selection head-ache in defence as Emiliano Insua was suspended after picking up a yellow card in the away leg. Daniel Agger, normally a centre back, filled in for the Argentine and performed well. The Dane was much more defensively solid than Insua was in the first leg, and brought the ball out of defence with confidence.

Benfica controlled the first 20 minutes of play, however they failed to seriously test Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal. Liverpool found it difficult to gain large periods of possession as the away side kept the ball well, and looked to run at the Reds backline.

The first chance of any note fell to Fernando Torres after 18 minutes. Glen Johnson went on one of his typical marauding runs down the right wing, then put a cross into the danger area. The ball was met by the head of Fernando Torres, however the Spaniard's flicked header didn't trouble Cesar in the Benfica goal, as it rolled frustratingly wide of the far post.

9 minutes later Liverpool took the lead thanks to a header from Dirk Kuyt. Gerrard whipped an inviting corner into the 6 yard box, and Kuyt jumped highest to power a header into the back of the net from close range. There was some confusion as to whether the goal had been disallowed, as the linesman had raised his flag for offside, however the goal was allowed to stand after Benitez had pointed out to the 4th official that it is impossible to be offside from a corner.

Liverpool suffered from some horrendous refereeing in the first leg, and nearly suffered again last night. If that goal had been disallowed then it could have changed the whole course of the tie. It is simply unbelievable that UEFA allow a linesman to officiate in a top level game, even though he did not know that you cannot be offside from a corner. That's the sort of error you expect down the park in an under 15's game, not at Anfield in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

That goal sapped the confidence from the away side, and excited the Anfield crowd, who created an amazing atmosphere in what was yet another memorable European night. Liverpool were now on top, and asserted their dominance just after the half hour as Lucas Leiva scored to double the Reds advantage.

Benayoun went on a tricky run inside his own half, before passing to Gerrard. Our captain then played Lucas through on goal with an excellent ball that cut through the away side's defence. Lucas controlled the ball, then coolly took it round the keeper before slotting home with the outside of his right boot. It was a wonderful move, and a fantastic finish. In fact, it was so impressive that I thought Torres had scored until the camera focused in on Lucas celebrating!

Lucas, who is usually perceived to be solely a defensive midfield player, has been starting in a more advanced role during this Europa League campaign, and the change of position has seen the Brazilian put in some terrific displays, that demonstrate his true ability.

In the last round against Lille, Lucas was started in a more attacking position, and he looked confident on the ball, and even earned Liverpool an early penalty which Steven Gerrard converted to send Liverpool on their way to a 3-0 victory.

Lucas must now be deployed in a more attacking role, at least at Anfield, if we are to see the type of displays that earned him the title of Brazilian Footballer of the Year in 2006.

Anfield was rocking, however the supporters were nearly sent into anxiety minutes before half time. A cross was played into the Liverpool box, and the ball nearly found its way into the back of the net. It was a game of pinball in the Reds 6 yard area, and the ball could have gone anywhere. Thankfully it rebounded off Lucas, ricocheted off Benayoun then went behind for a corner kick.

Liverpool came out for the second half looking to extend their lead, and claim victory. At this stage, we were 2-0 up however a single Benfica goal would send the game into 30 minutes of extra time.

Liverpool started the second half well, attacking with purpose in search of a third goal, which eventually arrived three minutes short of the hour mark.

This goal was the best of the lot. Benitez described it as "almost perfect" (which is the highest level of praise you can reasonably expect to receive from the Reds boss). For me, it was counter-attacking football at its best.

It all started with a free kick for Benfica in a dangerous position on the left hand side, 30 yards from goal. The cross was weak, and easily cleared by Mascherano. His fellow South American, Lucas, picked up the ball and switched play to the left and to the feet of Yossi Benayoun. Yossi skilfully cut inside before playing an incisive pass out to Kuyt on the right. The Dutchman stretched to reach the ball and sqaured it across the face of the goal to Fernando Torres, who had the simple task of converting from 6 yards out.

It was a simply stunning move. If only we had performed like this for the whole of the season!

At this stage, it looked like being a case of how many goals Rafa's Redmen would score, however that wasn't the case as Anfield was sent into shock when the visitor's pulled a goal back with 20 minutes left to play. Cardozo smashed a free kick underneath the Liverpool wall and into the net from the edge of the box. It was a disappointing goal to concede as Cardozo's firm strike took a slight deflection off Gerrard, that sent the ball past Reina and into the net.

Only a day before Liverpool's fierce rivals Manchester United had been knocked out of the Champions League by German giants Bayern Munich. The Mancs had raced into a 3-0 lead however Olic grabbed a goal back for the away side on the stroke of half time. Early on in the second half United were reduced to 10 men, and eventually Robben sent Bayern through with a world class volley.

It seemed incredible that Manchester United had crashed out of Europe after being 3-0 up, and all Reds fans gleefully took the opportunity to torment their Manc mates after such an embarrasing collapse. Now, those same supporters were racked with anxiety as we were in danger of suffering defeat in the same humiliating manner as United had a day previously.

Liverpool had to withstand some pressure from the Portugese side for the next few minutes before the game was finally put to bed. Mascherano played a brilliant through ball to Fernando Torres, who delightfully dinked the ball over Moreira, who had replaced the injured Cesar in the Benfica goal. It was a beautiful goal from the Spaniard, which extends his run of braces in home matches to 4 in a row. He has netted twice against Portsmouth, Lille, Sunderland and now Benfica.

Overall, it was yet another impressive European display from Liverpool. The Europa League has provided an invaluable release from the pressures of League football, and represents a fantastic opportunity to claim another piece of silverware.

Liverpool will now hope to carry this form into the rest of their critical League games, starting at Anfield against Roy Hodgson's Fulham side, who also progressed to the semi finals of the Europa League last night, following a 3-1 aggregate triumph over Wolfsburg.

YNWA