Rafa's revved up for Old Trafford title showdown

Benitez began the day desperate for two wins in five days to maintain the club's interest in Europe and the Premier League.

Now after humiliating the nine-times European champions in a 5-0 aggregate win to reach the last eight, Benitez is halfway to his dream.

Liverpool now face Manchester United, needing to cut the champions' seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

And Benitez said: "We have an important game next, but we have played well here, scored four goals and are very confident. That is the best way to prepare for such a game.

"It was important for us to play that well, but we are now facing a very good team and we must win to close the gap at the top."

He added: "Why are we so good in Europe? I can only say that we approach European games with confidence and in the right way."

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink has warned Europe's top defenders that they will have to be at their very best to contain a rampant Didier Drogba.

The Ivorian striker scored his fourth goal in five games as Chelsea reached the last eight of the Champions League with a 2-2 draw against Juventus in Turin.

The result made Drogba's first-leg winner at Stamford Bridge all the more important as the Blues ran out 3-2 aggregate winners.

"He's very important, how he's showing his commitment and how he's always busy," said Hiddink.

"He doesn't give you, as a central defender, an easy night. When he scores, it's even better.

"He's doing very well. For the second goal, he came just ahead of his marker. That's a sign that he is sharp."

Bayern Munich eased into the quarter-finals by crushing Sporting Lisbon 7-1.

Lukas Podolski scored twice in the first half as Bayern completed a 12-1 victory on aggregate.

Ariel Ibagaza scored one goal and set up another to lead Villarreal through with a 2-1 win over Panathinaikos that gave the Spanish team a 3-2 aggregate victory.