Liverpool defeated Arsenal 4-2 (aggregate 5-3) to set up Champions League semi-finals clash with Chelsea, who won at home 2-0 (aggregate 3-2) against Fenerbahce.

Abou Diaby put Arsene Wenger’s side in the lead in the 13th minute after concerted pressure by the Gunners in the rival territory. The French midfielder, latching onto a pass from Alex Helb, made his way into the penalty area from the right and unleashed a powerful low shot that deflected off keeper Pepe Reina into the net.

The visitors came close to adding to the scoreline, but Emmanuel Eboue’s shot that was deflected of a Reds defender, was blocked by Reina, who soon made an important interception off a probing cross from Gael Clichy with Emmanuel Adebayor in close vicinity.

The Reds’ first threat to Manuel Almunia’s goal came as Fabio Aurelio had a clean shot after 20 minutes from the edge of the box, but the effort did not work the Gunners keeper. However, in the 30th minute, the Spaniard was beaten when Sami Hyypia got a free header off a corner by Steven Gerrard and planted the header into the far side of Almunia’s goal with Cesc Fabregas at the post beaten.

With five minutes for half time, the Gunners suffered an injury blow with Mathieu Flamini picking up a foot problem. The Frenchman was replaced with Brazil international Gilberto.

The home side made a confident start to the second period and there were two attempts at quick succession from Peter Crouch, one being saved easily by Almunia and the other going wide of the target.

Arsenal had a chance in the 63rd minute when Kolo Toure led an attack from the right wing and passed the ball to Eboue in the box. However, the last-named failed to centre the ball to a waiting Adebayor as the angle took the ball out of play.

Fernando Torres put the Reds in the lead with a brilliant finish getting past defender Philippe Senderos and finding the net with a powerful shot on turn after Crouch had headed on into the Spaniard’s path in the 70th minute.

An easy chance went begging for the Gunners, when unchallenged Adebayor failed to show composure in a one-on-one on Reina, and sliced his shot wide in the 74th minute.

Arsenal equalised against the run of play when Adebayor was set up for a simple tap in from centre of the penalty area, by a fine run by substitute Theo Walcott in the 84th minute.

Soon after, The Reds got a penalty kick and skipper Gerrard made no mistake dispatching the ball into the left corner. Substitute Ryan Babel rounded the scoreline in the stoppage time, after the Reds caught out their rivals on a quick counter attack.

Meanwhile, at Stamford Bridge, the Blues got a goal in each half with Michael Ballack opening the scoring. Frank Lampard scored in the second half.

Avram Grant’s side, who had lost 2-1 in Istanbul, got the early lead when the Germany captain headed home from a free-kick taken by Frank Lampard from right wing.

The Blues suffered an injury blow as goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini picked up a hamstring problem and had to be replaced by Henrique Hilario. The West-Londoners are already missing their No 1 Petr Cech after his facial injuries from Sunday’s training ground accident.

England midfielder Lampard got on to the score sheet in the 87th minute when he found the target from close range off a cross from Michael Essien.