Torres scored twice to help Liverpool to a 4-1 victory over Benfica, 5-3 on aggregate, while Atletico secured a goalless draw with Valencia to advance on away goals after a 2-2 draw in the opening leg.

Trailing 2-1 from the opening leg, Liverpool was set on its way when Dirk Kuyt headed home from a 28th-minute corner, the goal eventually standing after the referee overruled an errant offside flag from his assistant.

Lucas then scored on the breakaway before Torres capped a brilliant counter-attack by slamming the ball into the net.

Oscar Cardozo's free-kick gave Anfield cause for concern before Torres capped the win eight minutes from time after being sent clear by Javier Mascherano.

Atletico's all-Spanish quarter-final was far less eventful, but that will not bother Los Rojiblancos as they continue a fine salvage mission after a terrible start to the season.

They went close to scoring through both Sergio Aguero and Antonio Lopez, while Diego Forlan was unlucky to see his fine shot punched clear by Cesar Sanchez.