Liverpool and Fulham reach last four

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool can take "massive confidence" from their 4-1 victory over Benfica which sent them into the semi-finals of the Europa League.

Liverpool wrapped up a 5-3 aggregate win as Fernando Torres struck twice to add to goals from Dirk Kuyt and Lucas.

"It was a great night in the end," Carragher said.

"The first 20 minutes they played well. It was important not to concede and to get the first goal was massive in the game.

"In the Europa League we've beaten a very good side, a top team, and it's a very good result."

He added: "We can take massive confidence from this as they are flying in their league and next season will probably be in the Champions League.

"Before the draw was made they were the ones that everyone was trying to stay away from so this is a great result."

Fulham's extraordinary season took another twist as they secured their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League with a 1-0 win over Wolfsburg in Germany.

Bobby Zamora's 19th goal of the season after just 21 seconds secured a 3-1 aggregate success after a disciplined performance from Roy Hodgson's side.

The German champions rarely threatened the Cottagers, who will now face Hamburg for a place in the final.

The Germans booked their place in the last four after a wonderful double from Mladen Petric helped sink Standard Liege

5-2 on aggregate.

Leading 2-1 from the first leg, the Bundesliga side extended their advantage when Petric opened the scoring with a fine header.

Igor De Camargo levelled matters on the night for the Belgians but Petric added a second for Bruno Labbadia's side with a fantastic overhead kick in the 35th minute.

Paolo Guerrero – who was yesterday banned for five Bundesliga games by the German Football Association for throwing a bottle at a fan at the end of his side's 0-0 draw with Hannover on Sunday – rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.

Atletico Madrid progressed to the semi-finals after edging past Spanish rivals Valencia on away goals following a tense goalless second leg at the Vicente Calderon.

There was little of the excitement of the first leg which finished in a 2-2 draw last week.