The Reds - who have joined Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in the last eight - went into the second leg at the San Siro with a 2-0 lead from the Anfield showdown, so won the tie 3-0 on aggregate.

Inter's task was always a tough one against their well-drilled visitors, but it was made even harder when Nicolas Burdisso was harshly shown a second yellow by referee Tom Ovrebo following a goalless first half.

The dismissal prompted Liverpool to be more adventurous and their attacking intent was rewarded on 64 minutes when Spain hitman Torres skilfully controlled a left-wing cross, swivelled on a sixpence and steered a low right-footed shot past goalkeeper Julio Cesar for his 26th goal of the season.

The game started at a frenetic pace, with Inter controlling the early possession and going close when Julio Cruz's 20-yard drive was saved at full stretch by the impressive Jose Reina.

Jamie Carragher was being kept busy on his 100th European appearance for the Reds, and Cruz was again the dangerman on 30 minutes but steered an angled drive wide of the upright.

The prolific Torres drew a fine near-post save from Cesar at close range and Dirk Kuyt scuffed a shot wide of the target as the visitors threatened on the counter-attack.

But after the break, Burdisso's harsh dismissal - after he had tussled for the ball with Lucas Leiva - reduced Inter to 10 men once again following Marco Materazzi's dismissal in the first leg on Merseyside.

Torres produced a moment of real class to break the deadlock and then set up Steven Gerrard on 68 minutes, only for the Reds skipper to sidefoot his effort straight at the grateful Cesar.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic surged into the 18-yard box on 79 minutes but scooped a left-footed strike high over the crossbar to ensure Inter crashed out of European's elite competition with barely a whimper.

The full quarter-final line-up: Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Fenerbahce, Liverpool, Manchester United, Roma and Schalke.