In Europe they continue to confound the critics, but domestically it s been another season of underachievement for Liverpool. This is despite the superb form of their star striker Fernando Torres (pictured), surely the most impressive signing of last summ

In Europe they continue to confound the critics, but domestically it's been another season of underachievement for Liverpool.

This is despite the superb form of their star striker Fernando Torres (pictured), surely the most impressive signing of last summer.

The Spain star has, with the help of Steven Gerrard's unerring consistency, almost certainly dragged the Anfield side into another top four finish.

Without his 21 league goals, even a Uefa Cup berth may have been doubtful. His last Premier League strike - in Sunday's 1-0 Merseyside derby win over Everton at Anfield - moved them five points clear in fourth place of their city rivals with six games to go. He also equalled a club record of scoring in six successive home league games.

Arsene Wenger admitted he watched the youthful Torres when he started out at his boyhood club Atletico Madrid. "I rate Torres," said Wenger, "he is extremely dangerous. "

Another club record was also beaten on Sunday. Goalkeeper Pepe Reina reached 100 appearances for the club, in which he has kept 54 clean sheets, one better than Ray Clemence's 53 in his first century of games.

Regardless of Wednesday night's result in the Champions League, Arsenal will fancy their chances of three points in the second of their quick-fire trilogy of encounters with Liverpool.