Through to Semi's after emphatic victory

Liverpool progress through to the semi-finals of the Europa League after thrashing Benfica 4-1 at home. A satisfying result and performance ensured the victory, even though it seemed a replica of Manchester Utd's result against Munich was on the cards. Thankfuly Liverpool showed enough quality to kill the game off and are now two victories away from their first piece of silverware since the Fa cup in 2006.

Liverpool were without the suspended Ryan Babel and Emilano Insua, not that many people were worried as the two have been poor lately with all the panicking and face touching they have been doing. What did worry fans was the sight of Fernando Torres limping early on. However he shook off the injury and played on. After a slow start to the game it was Benfica who started the better, passing extremely well and putting pressure on Liverpool's make shift back four. Yet half chances were as far as either team were getting, with Torres's glancing header floating wide and Di Maria being unable to find the net with his effort. The deadline was broken in the 27th minute when Dirk Kuyt beat Benfica keeper Julio Cesar from a corner. Despite the linesman raising his flag to dissallow goal, the referee decided it was legite and the goal stood. Rightfuly so, considering it would be very difficult to get yourself in an offside position from a corner, although I'm sure Filipo Inzaghi would find a way. He loves his offsides. Liverpool then took the initiative again after a superb move, Gerrards excellent through ball found Lucas who beat the keeper and slotted the ball into the empty net. Liverpool fans were equally shocked by the excellent performance and the fact Lucas had scored. Benfica began getting frustrated as Liverpool crowded them out and got back in numbers. The Portugese club nearly leveled the tie just before half time when Ramires's shot deflected off Lucas and Benayoun and went narrowly wide. In the second half the scruffy stage began, as Benfica played sloppy football and Liverpool applied further pressure. Benfica were punished again after a few panicky incidents, Liverpool caught them on the break and Fernando Torres finished a fantastic move. Everything seemed perfect for Liverpool but an Oscar Cardozo free kick seemed to have dented that. The Paraguayan smashed the ball through the wall as Gerrard turned his back and beat Pepe Reina.This meant that Benfica needed just one goal to go through on away goals, as Munich had done the nght before. And what followed was a few nervy moments for Liverpool until the increased their lead again and ended the game. Fernando Torres's excellent finish beat Benfica's sub keeper after Julio Cesar left the pitch with a bizarre injury. At 4-1, the game was over. Benfica stopped playing their excellent pass and move football. The result was exactly what Liverpool deserved as the performance was one to be proud of.

At the beginning of the game it seemed the teams were playing contrasting football as Benfica used short passing and lots of movements, where as Liverpool seemed to have started with a direct manor, hitting long balls up to Torres. The goals Liverpool scored were excellent examples of how to play football. Fast and concise passing and excellent movement in to space. The Liverpool players also showed how to play when your tea doesn't have the ball as they hounded the Benfica players constantly. Benfica's Torres bashing tactic was undone and they struggled to create ay clear cut chances. Kyrgiakos was excellent, marking Cardozo out of the game and Dan Agger had an excellent game at left back as it allowed him to push forward a lot. Players such as Cardozo and Di Maria who were so effective in the first leg failed to make an impact this time. Overall the class difference in Leagues was exposed as Benfica, top of the Portugese league were hammered by a Liverpool team strugglin in the english league. (See i didn't even mention our position). The game wasn't really a thriller because apart from the goals there was few chances but any game with 5 goals entertains the winning side. But what was different about Liverpool in this game? They were more positive. Not to mention solid at the back. It seemed every player was really up for the game. Torres's finishing was top notch once again and the service to him was of high order again rather than the ball launched upfield. Perhaps also the fact that Torres remained on the pitch past the 60th minute. Not to be critical but had Ngog been in the same positions I'm not so sure he would have finished it. But Rafa will have to encourage that sort of football and hope the players form continues into the last five Premier League games and the semi final tie. All games are must wins at this stage!

So Rafa moves closer to getting his third Liverpool trophy and if he does so the season won't be seen as a total disaster. Since Liverpool have drawn Atheletico Madrid in the semis there is still a job to do before the fans can start getting excited about the silverware. An all English final is till on the cards after Fulham also progressed to the semis. So when watching Liverpool versus Fulham his weekend keep in mind it could be a Europa League final rehearsal. Not something either of the fans would have expected going into this season.But overall a good week for Liverpool. So heres hoping they continue and get a fairytale ending by getting 4th and the cup.Thanks for reading this weeks 'What can be salvaged?' . Next game is Fulham, and should make for some good 'This could be a Europa League final paractice' talk.
Yours,
living in hope, Dec