Liverpool sealed their place in the Europa League semi finals with a 4-1 victory against Benfica to win the tie 5-3 on aggregate. First half goals from Dirk Kuyt and Lucas followed by two second half Fernando Torres strikes won the game for the Reds.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez made two changes from their weekend draw against Birmingham, with Daniel Agger coming in at left-back in place of the suspended Emiliano Insua and Javier Mascherano returning in midfield for the ineligible Maxi Rodriguez. Fernando Torres was fit to start up front for the Reds despite being controversially substituted against Birmingham.
Atletico Madrid Reunion Will Be Special For Fernando Torres
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres’ brace against Benfica helped fire the Reds into the Europa League semi-finals, setting up a showdown with the Spaniard’s former club Atletico Madrid.
Torres scored Liverpool’s third and fourth goals in a 4-1 victory at Anfield on Thursday, helping Liverpool overcome their 2-1 first leg defeat in Portugal.
Now Torres will face Atletico Madrid, where he spent six years with the La Liga club, and Reds manager Rafael Benitez knows that the tie will be a special one for his superstar striker.
“It will be more exciting for him than for me. He was there for a long time. They will be two difficult games,” Benitez told The Mirror.