Liverpool held a slender advantage going into the return leg having grabbed an away goal in last week’s clash at the Emirates Stadium, but the Reds made sure that the away goal did not come in use, beating Arsenal 4-2 on a great night of European football at Anfield.

Torres put Liverpool ahead 2-1 with a cracking turn and shot  after Hyypia had equalised following Diaby’s early goal. Adebayor struck for the Gunners to make it 2-2, before Gerrard from the spot, and Babel in stoppage time, booked a place in the Champions League semi-finals for Rafa Benitez’ men.

Following a fairly quiet opening 10 minutes at Anfield, with neither goalkeeper really having anything to do, Arsenal put themselves into the driving seat with the first goal of the night. Alex Hleb played in Abou Diaby who crashed a low shot past Reina at the near post to give the Londoners the lead.

The goal gave the Gunners an important confidence boost as Liverpool looked a bit shell-shocked. The Arsenal midfield went on to dominate affairs, but Arsene Wenger’s men failed to convert possession into chances and were made to pay by the Merseysiders.

Manuel Almunia conceded a corner following a good one-handed save from a deflected Gerrard cross. The resulting corner though ended-up in the back of the Arsenal net following a brilliant header from Sami Hyypia. The Finn rose unmarked in the box to direct his header over Cesc on the goal-line and in off the far post.

Following the equaliser it was all Liverpool until the break, as Gerrard had a thirty-yard effort fly over as the Reds laid siege to Almunia’s area.

Liverpool started the second half looking the more likely to score. A great run from Torres left both Senderos and Clichy for dead. The Spaniard’s cross reached Fabio Aurelio, whose shot bounced off Peter Crouch and just wide.

The Reds finally found a way past the Arsenal defence, and it was top-goalscorer Fernando Torres who broke the deadlock. The striker controlled Peter Crouch’s flick in the box before turning brilliantly and firing past Almunia into the top corner. Goal number 29 for the season for the Spaniard.

Out of the blue Adebayor had a great chance to equalise for Arsenal. Helb crossed well for the tall striker but he sliced his first-time shot wide of the far post. The Gunners though drew level as second-half substitute Theo Walcott beat four before setting up Adebayor to score.

For a brief moment Arsenal were in the semis, but within a minute the Reds were back in control. Kolo Toure brought down Ryan Babel in the box and Gerrard stroked home the penalty to put Liverpool back into the lead.

With four minutes remaining Rafa Benitez brought on Riise for Torres as the Liverpool boss looked to hold onto the lead by tightening things in midfield.

The Reds made the game safe in stoppage time as Babel raced onto a long ball before calmly slotting past Almunia to put the icing on the cake.

Chelsea now await the Reds in the semis after easing past Fenerbache 3-2 on aggregate.


Match Stats: Liverpool 4-2 Arsenal (Liverpool 5-3 Arsenal on aggregate)

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Arbeloa, 90), Torres (Riise 87), Crouch (Babel 78)

Goals: Hyypia 29, Torres 69, Gerrard 84 (pen), Babel 90

Arsenal: Almunia, Toure, Gallas , Senderos, Clichy, Eboue (Walcott, 72), Flamini (Silva, 42), Fabregas, Diaby (Van Persie, 72), Hleb, Adebayor

Bookings: Senderos, Toure

Goals: Diaby 12, Adebayor 83