Liverpool 3-0 Lille (aggregate 3-1)

Fernando Torres scores twice as Liverpool beat Lille 3-0 at home to advance to Europa League last-eight 3-1 on aggregate

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Thursday, 18, Mar 2010 10:30

Liverpool's hopes of salvaging some silverware from a dismal season received a boost after two Fernando Torres goals helped them beat Lille 3-0 and advance to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

The Reds won a penalty in the ninth minute when Lucas's jinking run drew a foul from Adil Rami.

Steven Gerrard made no mistake from 12 yards, putting the home side level on aggregate.

Torres was in the thick of the action as Liverpool tried to press their advantage but Lille still looked dangerous on the break. Eden Hazard underlined the threat posed by the French side when he collected a long pass, played a one-two and hit a shot which bounced off the startled Pepe Reina's head for a corner.

Liverpool's best chances seemed to come from set-pieces, Daniel Agger twice came close with headers from corners.

But it was from open play that Liverpool next scored in the 49th minute - Ryan Babel's long pass bouncing over the head of a hapless Lille defender before being controlled by Torres who dinked the ball into the net as the goalkeeper dived despairingly at his feet just outside the six-yard box.

It was a superb goal, one that the watching Diego Maradona must have approved of. Hearteningly for the Anfield crowd Torres seemed in the mood to score again, continually looking sharp whenever the ball was moved around at pinball-speed near the Lille goal.

Javier Mascherano attempted an audacious goal when shooting from near the centre circle in the 70th minute, while Lille nearly scored from close range minutes later with Liverpool defenders appealing in vain for the offside flag.

At the other end the industrious Dirk Kuyt twice stung the Lille goalkeeper's hands with powerful, swerving shots.

Lille had a great chance to go through on away goals when the ball landed near an unmarked striker in the 88th minute.

But it was Liverpool's night - Torres pouncing on the ball after the goalkeeper half-saved a Gerrard effort and shepherding into the net with just two touches to kill the tie off in the 90th minute.