'Little chief' bosses it: Mascherano makes sure Liverpool reach last eight

13 April 2012

While the big chiefs continue to do battle in the Anfield boardroom, the Little Chief took the fight to Inter Milan on Tuesday — and how significant he proved.

Here at the San Siro came a timely demonstration of why Rafa Benitez was so keen to spend £19million on Javier Mascherano and another reason why Liverpool can remain among the elite of European football.

Winner: Fernando Torres strikes Liverpool's goal at the San Siro

This was not a contest for connoisseurs of attacking football. Not an encounter when Fernando Torres would be able to add another hat-trick to his recent collection. On this occasion he had to settle for just the one goal.

It was a night when Liverpool had to dig in and defend the advantage they so stylishly secured at Anfield three weeks ago and a night, in particular, for Argentina's El Jefecito.

While Xabi Alonso stayed at home with his partner Nagore to witness the beginning of a new life (and quite rightly so, whatever his manager might think), Mascherano protected his defensive colleagues as if his own life depended on it.

Until fatigue finally got the better of his battered body in the 88th minute, he was a ubiquitous presence, sensing danger and dealing with it in a manner that marks him out as one of the masters of the midfield holding role and a marked man in these parts should Liverpool ever face Inter again.

Frustration eventually got the better of the Italian champions and when Nicolas Burdisso launched himself at Lucas in the 50th minute, a slightly undeserved second yellow card was followed first by his dismissal and then the goal from Torres that settled this tie.

It meant Liverpool's place alongside Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in Friday's quarterfinal draw was secure and completed what amounts to a remarkable English double in this imposing concrete cathedral. After Arsenal last week came Liverpool, both sides earning the admiration and applause of the supporters who share the San Siro.

In charge: Mascherano looks on as Nicolas Burdisso is given his marching orders

Tom Hicks was not here to see it, but this is why he is so keen to remain in charge at Anfield. Liverpool have given him a seat at world sport's top table and a team that will continue to add numbers to an already global fan-base.

Because of the £40million Hicks has allowed Benitez to spend on Torres and now Mascherano, they are a better side than they were when they lifted the European Cup three years ago and more than capable of reaching a third final in four seasons.

Inter, after all, were heavily fancied for this tie; the runaway leaders of Serie A who might just prove one big scalp too many for a side that had only recently lost to Barnsley in the FA Cup. But to a list that included Barcelona, Chelsea, Juventus and AC Milan, Inter were added with relative ease.

As was another victory that now makes it six in a row and illustrates that there was some method in the apparent madness of Benitez earlier in the season. The Spaniard might yet regret resting Torres in the Barclays Premier League, but the club's record signing appears to now be benefiting from the occasional break he enjoyed back in the autumn.

A disappointing Inter certainly could have used someone of his ability here, squandering what few chances they created, even if they did test the excellent Pepe Reina once or twice.

European master: Rafa Benitez safely guided Liverpool into the last eight

Undermined by injuries and a suspension that forced Roberto Mancini to send out a makeshift defence and deploy Patrick Vieira on the right side of midfield, Inter only troubled them when an initially cautious Liverpool allowed them to. A blistering effort from Julio Cruz demanded the best of Reina, while a rapidly executed one-two with Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw Cruz threaten again.

Inter, however, were beginning to look dangerous at both ends. A danger to themselves, given how often they began to concede possession, and a danger to Liverpool when they did venture into the opposing penalty area. Reina was required to make another terrific save when Cruz met a fiercely-struck delivery from Maicon with a close-range flick, but Inter then invited Liverpool to retaliate with a series of unforced errors.

Martin Skrtel made a mistake shortly after Burdisso's lunging challenge on the impressive Lucas ended with his disappearance, giving the ball to Ibrahimovic and then watching in horror as the Sweden international unleashed a shot that flew just inches wide.

But when Torres controlled a pass from Fabio Aurelio in the 64th minute, the brilliant Spaniard turned Cristian Chivu before beating Julio Cesar with a breathtaking finish.

Now three goals down as well as a man down, Inter were certainly finished. So much so that some of their supporters started to leave, while others chose to recognise the qualities of the team that had dared conquer them.

Arsenal were applauded by the Milanese and so, last night, were Liverpool.

Liverpool's own fans were given the opportunity to pay a special tribute to their heroes when the team returned to the San Siro pitch for a warm down. At the back of the group they saw a labouring Mascherano accompanied, rather appropriately, by the theme music to Gladiator.

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