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Rafael Benitez finally put a finger on why his team is overachieving in Europe but not doing well domestically. In 2005, his team clinched the Champions League, were runners-up last year, and have, this season, embarked on a remarkable comeback. Yet they struggled to win against weaklings and top guns in the Premier League.

It is easier, he said, after his side won 1-0 at Inter Milan to reach the quarter-finals 3-0 on aggregate. “For us the Champions League is a bit easier because we can be concentrated in two games. In the Premier League the top three English clubs are tough and it is hard every game. The difference is the Premier League is for nine months.”

He gains my respect for that fair assessment. It is actually no secret that the Reds cannot last the ordeals of a full season but in cup competitions, they have a knack of consolidating their resources and delivering killer blows. Conceding the Premier League is “tougher,” and to hear it from the man himself, is something special.

In the opening minutes, Liverpool were cautious, even jittery, as they played deeply and were happy to deliver long balls upfield. Nevertheless, they kept a clean sheet despite the efforts of a rampaging Inter who were determined to repeat the contentious 1965 defeat of Bill Shankly at San Siro.

Argentine forward Julio Cruz forced Liverpool goalkeeper Reina into a brilliant one-handed save in the 9th minute. As the game progressed, Liverpool got into their stride and counter-attacked. Babel chased a long ball from Aurelio, but was foiled by keeper Julio Cesar. Liverpool opened up the game further as they ventured forward and Torres had a good chance to breach the defense but Cesar kept him at bay.

Inter were not idling either, they created an abundance of chances which went begging. They shot themselves in the foot when Nicolas Burdisso stupidly got himself sent-off for a second booking in the 50th minute. Worse was to come in the 64th minute when Fernando Torres scored the only goal of the game with a clinical turn and finish from just inside the box.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said: “I don’t think anyone will want to play us in the last eight. We’re lucky to have Fernando - he only needs one chance.”

Down to 10 men and needing to score four goals, Inter lost heart and was ready to head for the showers. Ibrahimovic felt his team was unlucky, saying: “We didn’t have any luck, like the first leg. We didn’t score, we kept pushing but nothing.”

If truth be told, the element of luck was slanted towards the Reds but Ibrahimovic was guilty of being profligate and not forming a close understanding with Cruz. Ill discipline is another reason for Inter’s downfall, they had apparently not learned the painful lesson of ceding numerical superiority to their opponent. Just as Marco Materazzi saw red in the first leg, Burdisso was sent off for a second yellow card. This scuppered any hopes of eliminating Liverpool.

Overall, Benitez came up with a tactically sound performance. The Torres-Gerrard partnership is yielding results and at this moment, Liverpool are unstoppable. There is improvement in the team, as is typical of the Reds at this stage of the season, some of the fringe players like Voronin and Lucas have a long way to go but are showing they are not entirely a waste of space.

Torres is turning out to be the best buy of the season with his lighting pace and clinical eye for goal. Mascherano is pulling his weight in midfield, breaking up the opponent’s attacks with ease and Gerrard, as a supporting forward, just behind Torres, provides the incisive thrust. Kuyt, still very much a work-horse, contributed little in terms of forward play but his commitment cannot be faulted. Nevertheless, I believe, if another player comes in, offering a more dangerous goal threat, his position in the team is shaky.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini announced after the game that he would be leaving at the end of the season. I was disappointed that Mancini exhibited little tactical nous to change the gameplan to provide more penetration, he was reduced to gesturing at the referee for Liverpool players to be carded. It is surprising how Inter remained untroubled domestically for so long, it must be that the quality of Serie A has deteriorated.

Benitez laughed off suggestions Inter may try to recruit him and said he was happy with his Liverpool team, who are fourth in the Premier League. He said: “We have a better squad than before. For me, the most important thing is that the team is winning in the Champions League every year. I would be really pleased to play the final, if it is against an English (team) then better.”

For the first time, four English clubs have reached the last eight of Europe’s premier competition - with Barcelona, AS Roma, Shalke 04 and Fenerbahce making up the numbers alongside Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. Benitez said: “I think that shows the quality of the Premier League.”

It was also the second time in a week that an English club had won on the San Siro pitch, following Arsenal’s 2-0 success over AC Milan seven days earlier. Is this a strong testament that the Premier League is currently the best in Europe? I doubt so. Before the English teams blow their trumpet, it is worth a reminder that all four teams are conspicuously absent from the FA Cup.

You can call it what you want but for me, it is a disgrace that Big Four defeat their European counterparts handily but are unable to stamp their authority over the minnows domestically. Barnsley made Liverpool and Chelsea look ordinary, maybe we should give them a shot at the Champions League too.

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