Torres sees Liverpool through
Torres sees Liverpool through
For the first time in history, a country will be represented in the last eight of the Champions League by four teams. Liverpool secured a momentous 1-0 victory over Inter Milan thanks to Fernando Torres.
Fernando Torres has marked a superb first season at Liverpool as he bagged his 26th goal of the season.
An ecstatic Steven Gerrard said after the game: "We knew they weren't going to play with out and out wingers and they were trying to control the middle of the pitch. It was important that our defenders held and Javier Mascherano and Lucas held the midfield, but I think we controlled the game. We deserved the last eight.
"If you look at our form over the season, we're a force in Europe. I don't think anyone will want to play us in the last eight.
"Fernando Torres makes the difference and we're lucky to have him, he only needs one chance and hopefully he continues to produce till the end."
On the back foot
Liverpool dominated the whole tie, and early on in the first half Ryan Babel found himself through but fired the ball straight at the keeper Julio Cesar.
On 25 minutes, Fernando Torres should've perhaps got a goal, but fired again straight at the keeper.
Inter Milan never looked like a force, and this spoke volumes as whenever they had a free kick they fired at goal, usually well over the bar.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was blunt for most of the game, missing several golden opportunities.
Contentious sending off
Nicolas Burdisso - returning for the first time in Europe since a six match suspension - was sent off by the referee for a second yellow card many will feel unfair. This was the second time Inter will feel hard done by, as Marco Matterazzi was sent off in the previous game.
Fernando Torres wraps it up
It took a moment of sublime skill to finish the game, and that is just what Fernando Torres did. Controlling the ball well on his thigh, before turning and smashing the ball home placed perfectly into the corner.
Onward to the Quarter Final draw now, with England represented by four sides - the top four in the Premiership.
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