Gerrard’s backpass went wrong and gifted Drogba the ball who scored on 33 minutes. Within 10 minutes Frank Lampard has added a second.

Liverpool seemed resigned to their fate and didn;t really put up much of a struggle.

Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea (Drogba)

Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea (Lampard)

Liverpool started the game with pace, energy, and aggression and Yossi Benayoun almost put the reds ahead with a shot after 3 minutes.

Liverpool were behind 1-0 after the first round in Spain and needed to win by two clear goals to go through to the Europa League final.

The first goal came on 44 minutes when Alberto Aquilani got on the end of a cross from Benayoun and slotted home a goal. Benayoun was once again the key man on the pitch and scored the second goal with a half-volley on 95 minutes.

It all looked good for Liverpool at this point, but a long period of extra-time saw Diego Forlan fire home a Jose Antonio Reyes cross to end Liverpool’s hopes of a Europa League final.

Atletico Madrid will go to play Fulham in the final.

Video Highlights from Liverpool Vs Athletico Madrid (29th April 2010)

Liverpool 1-0 Atletico Madrid (Aquilani)

Liverpool 2-0 Atletico Madrid (Benayoun)

Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid (Forlan)

It will unlikely be enough to clinch the last coverted spot for the Champions League as both Tottenham and Manchester City have a game in hand over Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard stepped up in the second half to score two goals within 10 minutes, and Maxi Rodriguez and Ryan Babel both added a goal each.

Rafael Benitez:

“We needed to improve, and to win, keep a clean sheet, score four goals and play well, especially in the second half I’m really pleased with the performance of the team.

“They were pushing and pressing at the end of the first half as soon as they conceded the first goal they needed to go forward they were open then we had more space and more time to play.

“Stevie needed to score, it was good for him and the team, Maxi scored the kind of goal he is capable of.

“I needed to change some players use players with fresh legs and it made a big difference. I think we have our chances of fourth place so we will try.”

Burnley 0 – Liverpool 4 Video Highlights and Goals (25th April 2010):

Burnley vs Liverpool [1St Highlight]

Burnley 0 – 1 Liverpool

Burnley 0 – 2 Liverpool

Burnley 0 – 3 Liverpool

Burnley 0 – 4 Liverpool

First three goals below:

Liverpool are now playing without Fernando Torres for the rest of the season, so Benitez and the fans will be pleased to see a strong performance, albeit too little too late to salvage a 4th position finish to the season.

Goals came from Yossi Benayoun, N’gog, and an own goal from Robert Green.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:

“We have to keep doing our job. It will be more difficult now [to qualify for the Champions League because Tottenham won [against Chelsea], normally you would not expect them to win.

“But we have to be in a good position if they make a mistake.

“West Ham started the game pushing but as soon as we scored the first goal it was easier, we had more chances and we scored the second goal and the third one killed the game.”
Video highlight of Liverpool Vs West Ham (19th April 2010):
Benayoun goal:

Ngog goal:

Robert Green own goal:

The only potential signs of stress came when Benfica scored their first goal to make the score 3-1 – another goal for Benfica at this point could have meant victory for Benfica as they would have had the advantage of the away goals.

Liverpool soon put any signs of danger to bed as Torres lifted home a sublime finish over the goalkeeper to give The Reds a 5-3 aggregate win and a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League.

Benetiz said:
“It was a good game and because the other team was very good you can say four goals was a fantastic performance, but I think we have played better this season. Any win is important, especially at this stage of a competition. If we can get to the final and win the final we will be very pleased. Hopefully we can play well, score goals, get closer to the top four and get to the final.”

Liverpool could now potentially face Atletico Madrid, the former club of Fernando Torres.

Watch the highlights and goals below:

Liverpool 1-0 Benfica (Kuyt):

Liverpool 2-0 Benfica (Lucas Leiva):

Liverpool 3-0 Benfica (Torres)

Liverpool 3-1 Benfica (Cardozo)

Liverpool 4-1 Benfica (Torres)

FULL HIGHLIGHTS OF LIVERPOOL VS BENFICA:

Liverpool’s draw with Birmingham City, followed by Manchester City’s 6-1 thrashing of Burnley has made the battle for 4th place tighter than ever.

The first half was an uninspiring affair, until Steven Gerrard got on the end of a Glen Johnson mis-hit and turned it into a stunning goal.

Birmingham however, upped their workrate and struck back on the 47th minute and leveled the scores.

Highlights and goals from Liverpool Vs Birmingham:

Gerrard Goal:

Full Highlights:

Daniel Agger slotted home a goal to give Liverpool an early lead, but they were soon pushed out of their comfort zone when Ryan Babel was sent off and they struggled to contain a fast and in form Benfica.

Rafa Benitez said:
“It was not a serious offence. I’m disappointed with the decision but we can’t change things now. “We have to move forward, prepare for the game and score the goal we need.”

“I prefer to be calm and be positive,” he insisted. “We made some mistakes but we have to be positive and think about the next game. The team was working very hard and with the fans behind us we can progress in the competition. The fans will be important at Anfield. Hopefully we will not need to push too hard, just push and play well and score goals.”

Watch the highlights from Liverpool Vs Benfica below:

Liverpool 1 Benfica 0:

Babel Sent Off:

Benfica 1-1 Liverpool (Cardozo)

Benfica 2 Liverpool 1

The Magic of El Nino:
Great video of Fernando Torres showing highlights of his goals and skill from the last few seasons.

Liverpool kept their dream of 4th place in the Premier League alive with a dominant performance and victory over Sunderland.

Two goals from Fernando Torres and a goal from Glen Johnson ensured that Liverpool moved up to 5th in the Premier League, only 3 points behind Tottenham.

Watch the goals and highlights of Liverpool Vs Sunderland below:

Liverpool 1-0 Sunderland (Torres):

Liverpool 1 – 0 Sunderland

Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland (Johnson)

Liverpool 2 – 0 Sunderland

Torres hits the post

OH…….Rush HA HA HA

Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland (Torres):

Liverpool 3 – 0 Sunderland