(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-12 09:07

MILAN - Liverpool eased into the Champions League quarter-finals after a superb strike by Fernando Torres gave last season's runners-up a 1-0 win at Inter Milan on Tuesday and a 3-0 aggregate victory.

Liverpool's Fernando Torres, right, with team mate Steven Gerrard, left, react, after Torres' opening goal for Liverpool during their Champions League, round of 16 second leg soccer match at the San Siro, Milan, Italy, Tuesday March 11, 2008. [Agencies]

Inter, who had centre back Marco Materazzi harshly dismissed in the first leg, also went down to 10 men in the return match when defender Nicolas Burdisso was sent off for a second booking after a clumsy 50th-minute tackle on Lucas Leiva.

Torres scored his fourth goal of the Champions League campaign 13 minutes later with a turn-and-shot on the edge of the area following a good run and pass from Fabio Aurelio.

The Serie A leaders had several chances at a cacophonous San Siro but Argentine Julio Cruz and strike partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic were wasteful in front of goal.

Liverpool join the other three English entrants, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, in the quarter-finals with AS Roma the only Italian side through.

"Up to the sending off it was a difficult game. I think we controlled the game and deserved to go through to the last eight," Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard told Sky television. "I think if you look at our form over the season we are a force in Europe. We're lucky to have Fernando. He only needs one chance, as he showed tonight."

Premier League leaders Arsenal beat holders AC Milan 2-0 at the San Siro last week to win 2-0 on aggregate and although Liverpool were not as stylish they completed the job just as effectively in a fast-paced encounter.

An early long-range effort from Cruz was well saved by Pepe Reina before the Argentine shot wide after being beautifully played in by Ibrahimovic.

Swede Ibrahimovic also blasted over two free kicks and missed an excellent opportunity after an error by centre back Martin Skrtel.

Five-times European champions Liverpool were not content to sit back and made several forays forward.

Aurelio's long ball sent Ryan Babel clean through in the first period but home keeper Julio Cesar raced out of his box to clear.

Esteban Cambiasso, one of several players to lose their footing, slipped in the area and let in Torres but the in-form Spaniard shot at the keeper.

He made no mistake midway through the second half though, sending Liverpool fans wild with delight.

The Italian champions hoped to repeat their 1965 European Cup semi-final comeback when they lost 3-1 at Liverpool before winning 3-0 at home in the second leg on their way to lifting the trophy.

But Roberto Mancini's men have flattered to deceive again in the Champions League, having been dumped out by Valencia in last season's first knockout round.

Coach to quit

Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini said on Tuesday he wanted to leave the club at the end of the season.

The 43-year-old coach made the announcement after the Italian champions were knocked out of the Champions League last 16 after losing 1-0 at home to Liverpool and 3-0 on aggregate.

"Despite having another four years on my contract, the next two and a half months will be my last guiding Inter," he told a shocked news conference.

"I have told the boys and it's right to tell everyone. It is a decision I have taken and it does not depend on the defeat tonight."

There was no official statement from Serie A leaders Inter and there had been no hint he would make such an announcement.

The former Fiorentina and Lazio coach has been prone to making hot-headed decisions and earlier this season refused to speak to the press for a week because he was angry at reports saying Inter had been fortunate in several refereeing decisions.

Inter romped to the Italian title under Mancini last season and are six points clear this term. However, they have limped out of the Champions League at the first knockout stage for the second successive season.

Mancini, Inter coach since July 2004, added that he wanted to leave Inter with another scudetto and an Italian Cup in the bag.

Inter, who celebrated their centenary at the weekend, also won the 2005/06 title but it was awarded to them in a courtroom after Juventus's demotion for match-fixing.

Earlier this season Italian media reports said Inter owner Massimo Moratti had held talks with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho but the club and the Portuguese denied it.

Talking about the Liverpool defeat, Mancini said playing both legs with 10 men for a time made life impossible.

"Obviously playing 10 against 11 is the biggest problem and if you are trying to recover a match you can not do that," Mancini said, adding that the refereeing in the second leg had not been even.

"In the first half there were four tackles from behind from Liverpool defenders that were never punished."