A melee ensued in which Luisao continued his protest at Babel and the Dutchman responded by pushing the Brazilian in the face.

The Swedish official showed the Benfica defender a yellow card and then flashed a red at Liverpool’s Holland international - sparking a sustained but fruitless protest by Liverpool’s entire team.

David Luiz was next to go into the book for clattering Torres in the 37th minute and the Spain striker thought he had exacted the perfect revenge when he volleyed home Julio Cesar’s weak punch from Gerrard’s free-kick - only to be denied by an offside flag.

Emiliano Insua was booked for pulling back Di Maria just before the break, ruling him out of the second leg.

Within four minutes of the restart Cardozo planted one header straight at Reina and the other over from five yards and you sensed just maybe it was going to be Liverpool’s night.

But, after a stray firework landed close to the fourth official next to Reina’s goal, their luck changed.

Cardozo’s 59th-minute free-kick rattled back off the right-hand post and when Aimar went down under Insua’s tackle chasing the rebound Eriksson pointed to the penalty spot.

This time Cardozo finally hit the target to beat Reina.

In the 76th minute Torres had a glorious chance to put his side back in front - and score his first Liverpool goal on foreign soil since March 11 2008 - but with only Cesar to beat he dragged his shot wide from Kuyt’s pass.

It was to prove costly as two minutes later Di Maria’s cross hit Carragher as he slid in to tackle and the fourth official signalled a penalty for handball.

The defender was booked and Cardozo scored his second spot-kick of the night.

With more fireworks raining down behind Liverpool’s goal towards the end Benitez’s side were fortunate to leave Lisbon with just a one-goal deficit.