The much maligned Lucas Leiva produced a terrific attacking display to inspire Liverpool to a fantastic 3-0 victory over French side Lille, to take the Reds into the quarter finals of the Europa League, where they will face Benfica.
Lucas was starting alongside Steven Gerrard as Rafa reverted to a 4-1-4-1 formation. This change in tactics not only stunned the opposition, but also amazed Reds fans, who have yet to see the Brazillian start in such an advanced role. Lucas looked comfortable in possession, and beat defenders at will. It was a completely different display to what we are used to, as he looks a lot less comfortable on the ball when playing closer to the back 4.
He was starting in place of Alberto Aquilani, as the Italian was suffering from a virus, yet Liverpool didn't miss Aquilani as Lucas filled his role with ease.
Lucas was the creator of the first goal, which came after only 8 minutes. After receiving a pass from Insua, Lucas ghosted past 3 players and into the penalty area, where he was brought down by a Lille defender. It was a clear penalty, and was duly awarded. Gerrard stepped up to take the penalty, and cooly converted, placing the ball into the bottom left hand corner to give Liverpool a crucial early goal.
Moments later Torres nearly doubled the Reds lead as he magically beat two players, after he had started next to the corner flag, nutmegging the first, before shooting into the side-netting. Torres was back to full form last night, adding another 2 goals to the brace that he achieved on Monday night against Portsmouth.
Midway through the half, Agger was denied a goal by his team-mate Dirk Kuyt, as the Dutchman accidentally blocked the Dane's header on the goalline. Gerrard whipped in a good corner from the left, and Agger had turned a header goalwards, but Kuyt inadvertently stopped the ball bulging the net.
Liverpool dominated the opening stages, playing an expansive brand of football that has only rarely been seen this season. The Reds play echoed back to the end of last season, when we regularly beat teams by 3 and 4 goals. The passing was crisp and fast, and the runs were incisive. So much of Liverpool's play this season has been slow, predictable and frankly boring, however that wasn't the case last night, as Liverpool searched for the goals that would guarentee them a place in the next round.
Lille had been kept incredibly quiet for the first half hour, however they squandered a wonderful opportunity to score a massive goal on 32 minutes. A long ball was pumped up into the Liverpool half. Agger dealt with it, heading the ball away, however it fell to the feet of Eden Hazard, who, after playing a neat 1-2, burst into the box.
The attacking midfielder, who had scored the only goal in the first leg, was one-on-one with the keeper and had the simple task of passing the ball into the back of the net, however he couldn't manage it as his shot smashed off Reina's head and went behind for a corner kick.
This was a major turning point in the match because, had Lille scored then it would have left Liverpool with an up-hill battle, as they would have had to score 2 more goals to progress.
After that, Daniel Agger missed yet another great chance from a Steven Gerrard corner. The ball flew past Ryan Babel, who was in the perfect position to head home, before hitting the Dane on the shoulder. Unfortuantely the ball flew over the bar without troubling Landreau in Lille's goal.
Just before half time, Torres headed Glen Johnson's cross agonisingly wide of the far post, as Liverpool searched for a second goal, which would have put them in the driving seat.
Liverpool came out for the second half looking to score the all important second goal, and took only 3 minutes to find it. Ryan Babel, who put in another decent shift on the left wing, smashed a long ball forward, which split the Lille defence and allowed Torres to run through before delicately dinking the ball over the keeper and into the Anfield Road end net.
It was a crucial and richly deserved goal however Liverpool couldn't rest on their laurels, as one goal from the visitors would see the Reds crash out of Europe.
The tension was palpable around Anfield, as a result of the many late heartbreaks the supporters have had to suffer through during this awful season, especially in the Champions League, where Liverpool conceded 3 last gasp goals that condemned them to the Europa League.
The away side took advantage of this tension, and started to wrestle some control back from the Reds, who had dominated for most of the match. Lille kept the ball for longer periods however they failed to threaten Reina's goalmouth for most of the second half.
On 72 minutes, a searching free kick was sent into the box. It was flicked on to the back post where Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang met the ball with space and time, however he couldn't find the back of the net, as his shot sailed just over the cross bar.
It was a fright for Liverpool who, at this stage, were hanging on for their lives.
The closing stages were anxious for the Reds, however they did also have a few attempts on goal as Dirk Kuyt, who was returning to the starting 11 in place of Maxi Rodriguez, who is inelligble for European football, tested Lanreau with two fierce strikes from the edge of the box.
The Reds nerves were finally eased on 89 minutes, as Fernando Torres scored a late thrid to confirm Liverpool's passage into the next round. Gerrard powered past a defender before firing a shot in on goal. The rebound fell to the feet of Torres who made no mistake from 6 yards out.
Overall, it was another much improved performance from Liverpool, that carried on the momentum created on Monday night when we beat Portsmouth 4-1. Torres was on fire, Gerrard played well and Lucas looked much more comfortable when placed further up the pitch.
Liverpool now face Benfica in the quarter finals, which is probably the hardest draw we could have got. If Liverpool continue this level of football then we should progress easily, however Benfica are no mugs, and will be a difficult prospect. However, with the away leg coming first i expect Rafa's Reds to progress. If Liverpool do advance to the semi's they will face either Rafa Benitez's old team Valencia, or Fernando Torres will return to Spain to face Athletico Madrid, in what should be an interesting encounter.
YNWA
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