ALBERT RIERA may regard Liverpool as a “sinking ship” but Rafael Benitez’s side remain very much on course for Hamburg.

A day that began with negative headlines dominated by one of the club’s Spanish contingent ended with another ensuring a more upbeat feeling around Anfield.

Two goals from Fernando Torres completed a fine fightback as Liverpool overturned a first-leg deficit against Lille to book their place in the last eight of the Europa League.

It was enough to earn the striker a standing ovation from guest of honour Diego Maradona on his substitution during injury time.

Having been at Istanbul five years ago, the Argentine legend already had first-hand experience of a stirring European comeback by Liverpool. And while this isn’t quite of similar resonance, it was significant enough in keeping alive their hopes of silverware, edging them a step nearer the final in Hamburg and easing the pressure on Benitez.

The Anfield manager had pinpointed this as a pivotal week. With two victories and seven goals in four days, it’s a case of so far, so good for Liverpool, who will go to Old Trafford on Sunday in much better heart than a week ago.

And they will bolstered by a rejuvenated Torres. After his two goals against Portsmouth on Monday, the Spaniard notched a second brace inside four days to take his tally to 17 in 27 appearances this season.

How Liverpool have missed the devastating finishing of their star striker. And how crucial keeping Torres fit and firing will be to hopes of salvaging anything tangible from a tortuous campaign.

It had taken Benitez’s men only nine minutes to wipe out Lille’s 1-0 advantage from France last week, Steven Gerrard slotting home from the spot after Lucas was felled.

Torres struck a sublime first four minutes after the interval and, with nerves fraying and the visitors pressing for an away goal, eventually settled the tie in the final minute.

But there could be few complaints over their progress after another stirring home performance, just hours after Riera’s outburst against Benitez that has almost certainly brought an end to his underwhelming Anfield career.

Riera described Liverpool as being “a sinking ship” although the winger undermined his argument somewhat by stating Benitez “thinks he is the boss”. Er, that’s because he actually is.

It meant Riera unsurprisingly joined Alberto Aquilani on the sidelines, a virus leaving the Italian unable to build on his man-of-the-match performance against Portsmouth.

Aquilani’s inclusion at the expense of Lucas in central midfield was pinpointed as a prime reason by many for Liverpool’s greater creative flair in racking up four goals for the first time since September.

Lucas has been a conveniently easy target for the critics this season, often for the temerity of not being Xabi Alonso, but the Brazilian will have felt he proved a point with a fine display on his recall last night.

He didn’t waste any time making an impression. Only nine minutes had gone when Lucas raced on to an Emiliano Insua pass, charged into the penalty area and was brought down by Adil Rami.