Homegrown Reds shine for Houllier

'I bought them because they are quality. What is more important than nationality is spirit and togetherness and that is what this game and the FA Cup win over Tranmere have shown us to have.

'But it is very important to keep true to the values of the country you are working in.

'Perhaps in the semi-final I will allow one of my foreign players to score!'

Liverpool's victory has set them up for a tie against Barcelona, Kaiserslautern or Alaves and keeps them on course to add the UEFA and FA Cup to their Worthington Cup win. Last night's convincing victory came in the face of blatant cheating and gamesmanship from a Portuguese side who tried everything they could to knock Liverpool out of their stride.

Owen was hacked to the ground three times in the first half.

Liverpool also had to stomach the spectacle of Porto defender Carlos Secretario rolling around on the ground in fake agony for five minutes as he attempted to avoid a booking for scything down the England striker.

Owen was at the heart of Liverpool's dominance and he said: 'The whole team played well and after we scored in the first half we killed the game. 'We are in the semis now as well as the semis of the FA Cup. We have won the Worthington Cup, so that's not bad. We have a fighting chance to win three trophies but we must qualify for the Champions' League. That's crucial.'

Houllier expressed no preference for a semi-final opponent and added: 'Porto are a good side but we made them look pale and anonymous.

'At the start of the season we couldn't have done that.

'I think it is certainly a sign of our growing maturity.'