Rafa raves about the fab four as Liverpool make it a clean sweep for English clubs

Already firmly in charge of their last 16 tie after a 2-0 win at Anfield three weeks ago, Liverpool added to Inter Milan's misery as Fernando Torres' 26th goal of the season completed a glorious quartet of English triumphs.

Liverpool join Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea in the last eight.

Scroll down for more

Torres struck in the 64th minute to end 10-man Inter's hopes and round off a San Siro double for the Barclays Premier League after Arsenal stunned AC Milan here last week.

Benitez was in jubilant mood as he hailed his side's latest outstanding European achievement and savoured the prospect of a May all-English final in Moscow.

"When all four English teams reach the last eight of the Champions League, it means our game is one of the best in the world," he said.

"It is the power of the Premier League, and it shows that our top four teams are maybe the best in Europe. That much is clear, and no one can say any different.

"There are so many really good players in all four sides. It would be great to see two English sides in the final, especially if we're one. I would be pleased to face another English team in the final. As for Friday's draw, I've no preference. I just want to enjoy tonight and see who we get."

Torres is in unstoppable form, fully justifying his £21million fee with eight goals in his last five appearances.

Benitez said: "We have a lot of confidence in him. He is a real threat to defenders, and when a chance fell his way again, he took it really well.

"We are really pleased and 26 goals is a good total. But the important thing for him is to make sure he scores a few more before the season is out.

"He has a good mentality and is trying to improve every day. The way he is playing and scoring goals is another indication of how much stronger our squad is this season.

"We were controlling the game by outnumbering them in midfield. The idea was to be compact and hit them on the counter-attack, because they could not afford to make any mistakes after our performance at Anfield."

Scroll down for more

While opposite number Roberto Mancini shocked fans by announcing that he will quit Inter at the end of the season, Benitez's stock in Europe continued to rise, in contrast to another disappointing Premier League campaign.

Benitez said: "You must keep your levels of concentration high for nine months in the Premier League, and that must be our next aim. In cups or Champions League, you only have to focus on one or two games at a time."

Defender Jamie Carragher insisted Liverpool had proved their European pedigree again, saying: "We've beaten possibly the best team in Europe. On domestic form they're top of their league and have only lost one game.

"We've shown over the last three years that we're as good as anyone in Europe.

"We knew if we kept a clean sheet we'd go through - that's what we were determined to get and we got it."

Skipper Steven Gerrard admitted Nicolas Burdisso's dismissal for two yellow cards had proved crucial, saying: "I wouldn't say we were comfortable until the sendingoff. It was a good game to come and get a clean sheet and get something on the break - and we've achieved that.

"We knew they weren't going to play with out-and-out wingers so it was important I defended and helped Javier Mascherano out. I think we controlled the game and deserved to go through.

"Look at our form over the season, we've been inconsistent in the league but a force in Europe - I don't think anyone will want to get us in the last eight."