The Spain striker did not need a second invitation and he sped towards goal before dinking a shot past Landreau with the outside of his right foot.

Torres, now brimming with confidence after three goals in his last two games, then drilled a shot just wide of the goalkeeper’s right-hand post.

Liverpool’s advantage was only a slender one and that fragility was almost exposed in the 73rd minute when Obraniak’s free-kick picked out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the far post only for the substitute to bundle his shot into the ground and over the crossbar.

As the tie entered its final throes the anxiety began to grow as Liverpool were unsure whether to try to hold their lead or finish Lille off with a third goal.

It almost came when Kuyt’s long-range strike was batted behind by Landreau.

But all the pressure was released when Torres followed up a rebound from Gerrard’s shot to score his second - and his fourth in his past two games - a minute before time.

It secured a second victory in an important week, with Manchester United to come at Old Trafford on Sunday.