Steven Gerrard's early penalty and a second-half brace from Fernando Torres did the damage as the Reds overturned a 1-0 deficit to maintain their hopes of lifting the trophy for a record fourth time.

It means Rafael Benitez's men have notched up two wins out of two in what could be a season defining week and will now head to Old Trafford in buoyant mood for Sunday's clash with Manchester United.

On the eve of the contest with Les Dogues, the hosts were dealt a blow with the news that Alberto Aquilani - a key figure in Monday's 4-1 triumph over Portsmouth - would miss the game through illness.

It forced Benitez to make two changes to the side that had produced one of the best performances of the campaign, with Lucas Leiva returning alongside Dirk Kuyt, who came in for the ineligible Maxi Rodriguez.

Any fears it would have a negative effect upon the Reds' approach were unfounded however, with Ryan Babel offering a warning of things to come when he turned into space 20 yards from goal and dragged a rifled effort just off target.

It gave the Reds the impetus to push on and on nine minutes they got the early breakthrough they were looking for.

Lucas Leiva weaved his way into the left side of the Lille area before going down under a challenge from Adil Rami. The referee pointed to the spot and Gerrard stepped up and coolly sent Mickael Landreau the wrong way.

It was an ideal start for Liverpool and Torres twice went close to doubling the lead moments later; first dragging wide after teasing his way past two defenders before lifting a shot from a tight angle just over.

The home side continued to look the more likely and on 23 minutes Glen Johnson almost grabbed a third of the season with a snap shot that flew straight into the grateful arms of Landreau.

Next it was Daniel Agger's turn to bear a wistful expression, guiding a header goalwards that was somehow blocked on the line by teammate Dirk Kuyt.

In the midfield, Lucas had seemed eager to impress from the off and another positive run forward ended with a low drive that was well blocked by Landreau.

It had developed into one of the most one-sided first periods L4 has witnessed this term, but on 33 minutes the away side finally gave a glimpse of the threat they can pose on the counter attack.

Lille's hero of the first-leg, Eden Hazard, seized upon a weak header from Daniel Agger, exchanged a one-two with Pierre-Alain Frau, before seeing his clipped shot brilliantly tipped over by Reina.

It would prove to be the French side's best moment of the match though, as Liverpool responded with another glorious chance of their own.

Gerrard's whipped corner from the right was once again met by Agger, but this time his near post flick dropped just past the far post.

With half-time approaching Kopites will have been scratching their heads wondering how the scoreboard didn't reflect the home side's dominance and they were again left frustrated when Torres's header bounced agonisingly wide of target following a great turn and cross from Kuyt on the right.

However, any concerns that it was going to be one of those nights for our no.9 - and indeed Liverpool -were vanquished within four minutes of the restart.

Babel's ball over the top was misjudged by Rami, allowing Torres to race in on goal and dink a sublime finish over the advancing Landreau to snare his 16^th of the season and his first ever in the Europa League.

The Spain international looks to have finally got his groove back following a campaign disrupted by injury and he almost added another three minutes later, crashing a 25 yard shot past the Lille stopper's right-hand post.

The Reds were now in the driving seat and Rudi Garcia responded by bringing on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The 20-year-old, who is on loan from AC Milan, immediately gave the visitors more presence in attack and he was the man who came closest to snatching a decisive away goal with 25 minutes left on the clock.

A searching free-kick from the halfway line was flicked on to the far post where the youngster arrived to guide a shot just over the upright.

Liverpool knew a third would settle any nerves and after going close through two blockbusters from Kuyt, they sealed progress when Torres fired home an 89th minute rebound after Landreau had parried Gerrard's angled drive.