Dutchman Kuyt has been shunted out to the right wing of late to do the running and toil that allows Torres the space to work his magic.

It worked again in the San Siro last night, when the 23-year-old Spaniard grabbed the goal that sent Inter Milan spinning out of Europe and Liverpool into the Champions League quarter-finals.

Kuyt, Liverpool's top scorer in his first season at the club last term, knows quality when he sees it.

On his forward colleague, he said: "Fernando is just special. It is amazing to score this many goals in his first season in England. He is getting them in the league and in Europe, he is doing a great job for the team.

"He will only get better and better. Other teams now are very worried by him, but you could see with the way he put away what was virtually only his one chance of the night just how dangerous he is.

"The rest of the players seem to think he will score in every game, and the way it is going, that is starting to happen."

Full-back Fabio Aurelio was one of the stars of Liverpool's defence as they became only the second team to beat Inter at home this season.

He said: "It is unbelievable how things have gone for us. We believe in ourselves, and all of us are very happy. We should be congratulating ourselves.

"The red card they suffered will be viewed as a critical point, but we were controlling the game before that.

"It was important, but we were already 2-0 ahead from the first leg and we were the best team then as well. What was the real key was the goal that Fernando scored, it finished them off.

"Now it will be more difficult in the next round. There are three other English sides, but Barcelona and Roma too. We know we will have to prepare very well, but we are confident."

Midfielder Javier Mascherano had another outstanding game, outshining a host of Argentina international colleagues for Inter.

He said: "This was one of the best this team has achieved. It was amazing for the players, for the supporters and for everyone at the club.

"Now we want to progress in this competition. We are playing well and confidence is high so we have to keep up our form.

"It does not matter who we get next. It will be a difficult game for us but it will also be a difficult game for them. After a result like this, we have to believe that we can go further in the competition."

He added: "It is all about working really hard for one another and playing as a team. That is the only way you can get results like we have had against teams like Barcelona and Inter Milan. Liverpool is one of the best clubs in the world so we have to prove this on the pitch.

"The history of the club is so special, everyone around the world knows the history and we have a very good record in Europe. We are just doing our best to try and create more history."

Inter defender Javier Zanetti, one of Mascherano's compatriots, said: "The ball just wouldn't go in for us. And in games like this, you must take your opportunities.

"But our season has not finished yet, we still have the chance to win the title, and we still want to win the Italian Cup."

Former Arsenal star Patrick Viera, outplayed by Mascherano and Steven Gerrard, emphasised the strength of English game.

He said: "When you get to the last eight, anyone can win it. And having four of those last eight, England have an outstanding chance of doing so - it shows how good English football is."