No matter. Four minutes after the re-start, Ryan Babel’s hoisted a clearance forward which the hapless Rami misjudged woefully to allow Torres a free run at goal; there was never any suggestion he would squander this chance.
Barely breaking stride, Torres lifted the ball over Landreau with great dexterity; it was the finish of a man operating at the peak of his powers, the kind only the very best in the business have the audacity to attempt.
In the wake of Chelsea’s latest exit from the Champions League, it was perhaps inevitable that a story would emerge suggesting Roman Abramovich is prepared to dip into his reservoirs of cash in a bid to sign Torres this summer.
Delve as much as you want, Roman. No matter how big the offer, no matter how much money you want to pay him, there is no way he would entertain playing at Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis.
Torres may have spoken about his future to Spanish reporters last weekend, which led to his thoughts being reproduced in the English media but it is worth pointing out that a sizeable portion of his thoughts were omitted from what was published.
In the same interview, Torres spoke about the debt he feels to Liverpool and Benitez for giving him his chance; as Reina said on the eve of this match, nothing would give him more satisfaction than winning a major prize here.
As was the case against Portsmouth, Torres was terrific, every time he picked up possession and started running, panic spread amongst Lille’s defenders; it was just so frustrating that he never got much chance to do it in the final 15 minutes.
Unsure whether to stick with the advantage they had established or twist and go for a third goal, Lille began to push forward and that led to anxiety building on the Kop and in the Main Stand, with cries of “Attack, attack, attack!” becoming more voluble.
Had the fates conspired against Liverpool, as they did when Fiorentina and Lyon visited earlier in the campaign, Lille might have profited from one of the long punts they hoisted into the 18-yard box but, for once, a happy ending was just around the corner.
Gerrard, with the bit between his teeth, moved forward with menace and cracked a shot that was too hot for Landreau to handle; once it had squirmed from his grasp, Torres was onto it in a flash to end the contest and guarantee himself an ovation.
Should he continue to have an appetite for destroying opposition defences, Liverpool’s fortunes will undoubtedly soar – and the adventure that was in danger of derailing could continue for some time yet.
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Reina; Johnson, Agger (Kyrgiakos 90), Carragher, Insua; Lucas, Mascherano; Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel (Benayoun 80); Torres (Ngog 90 +1).
LILLE (4-5-1): Landreau; Beria, Chedjou, Rami, Emerson; Hazard (Vandam 86), Mavuba, Balmont (Aubameyang 70), Cabaye, Obraniak; Frau (Toure 58).
Bookings – Insua (42), Torres (73), Cabaye (80)
Attendance – 38,139
Referee – Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)
