Joining Liverpool in today’s draw for the last eight are Fulham, Valencia, Standard Liege, Wolfsburg, Atletico Madrid, Hamburg and Benfica.

The build-up to the game had been overshadowed earlier in the day by Albert Riera’s outburst in which he criticised Benitez and referred to Liverpool as a “sinking ship”.

But when asked if last night’s performance suggested otherwise, Benitez said: “It’s very clear [it suggests otherwise]. Sometimes you don’t need to talk too much, just to see the players together on the pitch and how they work. They are trying to do their best with the fans behind them, it is a fantastic thing.”

Gerrard believes Liverpool have reacted in the right manner to the dressing down they received after the dismal defeat to Wigan Athletic just 10 days earlier.

“He is the manager and is allowed to criticise the team at the right time but the reaction has been superb,” said the skipper. “If you are a footballer and you are not looking forward to playing Man United then there is something wrong.

“We will look at that next and if we can build on this then we have a good chance of getting a result.”

Of the game, Gerrard added: “There were a few edgy moments late on but I think it’s normal to be anxious at 2-0. It was a perfect score for Lille because if they get one then they are through. But it was a superb performance from all the boys and we thoroughly deserved to go through.

“The fans got right behind us and it was important to get three goals. That was the aim because we knew they were dangerous and capable of scoring.”

Daniel Agger hobbled off in injury time after taking a kick on his calf, but is expected to be fit for Sunday.