Liverpool were left to reflect on how close they came to a third European Cup final in four seasons after Wednesday night's agonising extra-time semi-final defeat at Chelsea.The west Londoners claimed two extra-time goals through a Frank Lampard penalty and Didier Drogba's second of the night to put the dream of a Moscow final on 21 May out of reach.Fernando Torres had scored an equaliser to force extra-time but even when Ryan Babel added a second in the dying minutes of the second period, Liverpool could not find a way through for another goal that would have taken them to the final on the away goals rule. It is Chelsea who will now face Manchester United in the final - Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson watching last night's match from the Stamford Bridge directors' box. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was left with just a summer of planning for next season to contemplate. He said: 'I think that we were very close. They were playing well and we were playing well, especially in the second half. 'In extra-time we were much better but we then conceded a second goal and the third goal finished the game. 'When we scored I felt we had control of the game and we had two chances at the start of extra-time. In these games always the small details make a difference. 'We were creating and not giving them an option but then they get a penalty and the third goal was the end for us. 'The players told me we should have had a penalty when Sami Hyypia was fouled but that's something you cannot change now.' The Reds boss also revealed injury forced him to substitute Torres in extra-time, saying: 'Torres had problems with his hamstring.' Midfielder Javier Mascherano summed up the mood in the Liverpool dressing room by insisting the current side can reach Champions League finals in the future. He said: 'It was very painful to lose like that. We showed character and personality, so it's difficult to take because we played well and lost. 'We played well at Anfield in the first leg but the result was not so good, and at Stamford Bridge we gave everything. We couldn't have done more. 'We thought we could go on to win the game after Fernando scored because we had two or three chances but everything changed with the penalty. 'This time was not for us but I know that we played well and gave everything. 'If we continue the way we have, we will bring titles to Liverpool. This is a young team and we showed character. We played well and now we need to continue improving and we will get to more finals.'
