Liverpool’s Europa League venture goes on after the Reds downed Lille 3-0 at Anfield on Thursday evening to book a place in the competition’s quarter-finals.
Star men Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres took care of the goalscoring with the captain notching an early penalty before two second-half goals from Torres ended the French team’s hopes of progressing.
A virus being suffered by Alberto Aquilani meant that the often criticised Lucas Leiva was back in the Reds side and an early break by him led to the opener.
Lucas magnificently danced his way into the penalty area, going by Adil Rami before the centre-back fouled him and a spot kick was awarded. Gerrard, in need of a decent headline or two after some recent controversies, made no mistake with the penalty for a 1-0 lead that left the tie all square on aggregate.
The Reds then had chances to get in front in the tie for the first time as Torres saw a near-post shot deflected wide and then sent another effort over. Daniel Agger then headed a corner into the hands of Lille goalkeeper Mickael Landreau.
Lille showed little and Jose Reina had no trouble in taking control of a free-kick from Ludovic Obraniak, the score on the night staying at 1-0 at half-time.
However, the Reds went in front overall five minutes into the second half courtesy of that man Torres. Lille had tried to form an attack but Ryan Babel sent the ball long and clear and the disappointing Rami misjudged it, allowing Torres to take up possession. The Spanish ace was clear on goal and he made no mistake this time as he dinked the ball beyond the advancing Landreau.
Torres sent another effort just wide soon after as Liverpool continued to create chances, but all the while knowing that a Lille goal could yet see them eliminated.
And they did have scares with Pierre-Emerick Aubam Eyang sending a shot over from an Obraniak free-kick, while some nervous handling from Reina also led to some panic in the hosts’ box.
But Rudi Garcia’s side could not get the goal they needed and their efforts were rendered futile at the death when Torres sealed Liverpool’s advancement, the striker composed and clinical as he ran on to Landreau’s save from a Gerrard shot and sent the loose ball home for a 3-1 aggregate victory.