Liverpool vs. Chelsea - Tuesday 21st April 19:45 GMT
Well, we're here again—Liverpool versus Chelsea in the Champions League semi final, only this time around it's for the right to play Manchester United or a European giant in the final.
Hang on... never mind.
On the injury front, Liverpool are still without Daniel Agger, out for the season with a broken metatarsal, whilst Didier Drogba is expected to shake off a knock to play.
News has also filtered through the channels today that both talismanic midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard will be fit and available for the showdown at Anfield, with the atmosphere likely to match anything seen before at the historic venue.
This will be the fourth time the two have met this season, with two draws in the league and a comprehensive Chelsea victory in the League Cup making up the fixtures preceding this.
However, Liverpool have history on their side, with two previous semi final victories to look back on, as well as having lifted the cup itself a British best five times.
If the previous matches are anything to go by, this will be a terse, gritty affair with little difference between the two sides. Expect to see defenses bettering attacks and, of course, Liverpool squeaking through by the odd goal.
I think that Liverpool's, and Rafa Benitez's, greater European nous will be enough to see them through on the night as well as the tie overall.
Avram Grant has not proven to me that he has enough tactical know-how to navigate this obstacle and I feel it will be a case of third time unlucky for the Blues.
Possible Lineups:
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Reina; Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Aurelio; Mascherano, Alonso; Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel; Torres
Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech; Belletti, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Makelele, Ballack, Lampard; J Cole, Kalou, Drogba
Prediction: The Reds to edge it at Anfield, I'm going to go for 1-0.
Do you agree/disagree with these views? Chelsea fan convinced your boys will get one over the Reds? Please leave your comments below.
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2 months ago
We have to win at home at Anfield, I think. I'm be worried about a shootout at Stamford Bridge. I would have rather played the first match there, then played at home in the second leg. A shootout at Stamford Bridge could do us in.
We need to win a goal up (1-nil or 2-one) at Anfield, then play for a draw at Stamford Bridge. That's kind of obvious, I think...but we'll see if we can pull it off.
2 months ago
As a neutral, albeit one that dislikes Chelsea far more than Liverpool, I fear that lightning cannot strike in the same place 3 times, unless you spend all day every day walking arond tornedo alley with a nine iron in the air. For that reason, i reckon Chelsea will finally have their day against Liverpool in the Champions League.
2 months ago
If we can score at Anfield, whether we lose 2-1 or a 1-1 draw, we have a very good chance making it through. The second leg of the previous 2 clashes were played at Anfield, which eventually proved to be in their favour, so we have to make sure that this time around it'll work in our favour.
My prediction is:
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool..
Hopefully we'll go on to win the trophy that had been eluding us for the past few years....
from 2 months ago
Im betting the ref will bea total idiot and mess everything up for one of the teams. They have been brutal so far this season in the Champions League(just look at the Arsenal-Liverpool games)
My prediction is:
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Chelsea to win by penalty shootout in second leg.
2 months ago
Well, I think it's safe to say that Chelsea won't lose at home, they have a ridiculous record at Stamford Bridge, but that doesn't mean they won't concede.
1st leg: 1-0 to Liverpool
Gerrard scores a disputable penalty or Torres slots one home.
2nd leg: 2-1 to Chelsea
Chelsea get an early goal from Ballack or Lampard, and the Drog scores before the break or early into the 2nd half. But Torres scores on the hour and Chelsea throw everything forward but to no avail, as Liverpool go one through away goals.
from 2 months ago
Drogba might sit
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8055548/Lamps-returns,-but-Drogba-doubtful
2 months ago
Nice article. I just don't think Chelsea has the spirit to stay with Liverpool the way they are playing in Europe right now. I know that they were playing a very free Arsenal team when they scored 4 goals and Chelsea is known for their slow, ugly, but effective style, but I just see Liverpool on a different level right now.
I may be very wrong and I guess we will find out tomorrow but going into the first leg at Anfield I can't help but see a Liverpool win. Possibly 2-0 or maybe even 3-1.
2 months ago
liverpool all the way, no way we are going to lose against chelsea especially with avram grant at the helm, the guy couldn't organise a piss up....
2 months ago
For some reason i dont see us conceding 3 goals to (in my opinion) a very average Liverpool team. Chelsea's spirit might be down but it has been down all season and that hasn't stopped us getting the results we needed. Liverpool have been nothing short of sensational in Europe in the last few years but so has Chelsea (to a lesser extent).
The fact that Liverpool knocked us out twice in previous years will have no bearing on tomorrow's game. Both clashes Liverpool were lucky to go through. Thats not to say they didnt deserve it because they did. Had we gotten through it would also have been due to luck..
I hope our second leg home advantage plays in our favour this time......
May the best team win..
2 months ago
Tomarrow is going to be FUCKING BAAAADASS CHELSEA ALL DAY.
2 months ago
0-0 for me. I can't see a relatively high scoring match but I do think that some of fans on here are underestimating Chelsea's resilience. They proved us wrong with a big win over Arsenal and overcoming Fenerbache to get to this point so I wouldn't be surprised to see a draw.
2 months ago
I think you're all underestimating Fernand Torres here. He's going to be the difference maker. Let's not forget that Chelsea hasn't been able to beat a full Liverpool squad this season. The Carling Cup match was a farce.
2 months ago
If I were Chelsea, I would play Torres very physically. He has a rough time when he gets pushed around. I think Terry will come after him....if he can catch him.
2 months ago
I think the last two semi-finals *will* have a bearing, but only in so much as to offer even further motivation for the Chelsea players to finally go through. They will want to go through badly and whether Grant is in charge or not, once the players are on the pitch they will know what to do and will make sure they get the job done.
However, what I think will be more of a factor than the above is this: the fact that Chelsea have to play Man Utd on Saturday, a game which they have to win, whereas Liverpool only have a game at Birmingham, in which they will put out the same team as against Fulham and rest almost their entire first team. This effectively means that all Chelsea players are handicapped by their own success (ie still in a position to compete in the league) whereas Liverpool will enjoy a full rest for 7 days and approach the game much fresher. I think this will prove the difference and it’s asking an awful lot for Chelsea to come through these next three games.
What do all you guys think about this factor?
from 2 months ago
It will definitly have a strong say in the team selection. People are predicting Liverpool to give Chelsea a torrid time tonight, but I can see Chelsea just digging in and defending well, because lets face it, they do that brilliantly.
As for Torres, he is a match winner, but its not Senderos he is facing now and I think if Terry etc give him a good kicking, then he will be quiet. Gerrard is a danger because of the absence of Essien who could shackle him.
I think Chelsea will look for the 0-0 draw, a draw at Stamford Bridge against United is likely, and then hope to beat Pool at home.
But its going to be intresting....too hard to call really.
2 months ago
I think John Terry is massively over-rated personally, and I expect Torres to get the better of him tonight if he can isolate him. Carvalho is the far better defender of the two, he was in perfect form at Everton and will need to be again if Chelsea are to keep a clean sheet.
Chelsea have a weakness at Right Back where neither Ferreira nor Belletti have impressed, and I think Babel and Aurelio/Riise can dominate that side at Anfield. With no Essien (suspended) in midfield, much will depend on an ageing Makelele, an out of form Ballack, and a Frank Lampard with personal matters on his mind.
I am a Liverpool fan, so am obviously biased, but I think Liverpool will win 2-0 tonight with goals from Torres and Kuyt, and that will be enough of a lead to take to Stamford Bridge. Liverpool are in peak form at this stage of the season, and for all their protestations, I don't think Chelsea have a united squad.
Form since 1st February in all competitions:
Chelsea P18 W10 D5 L3 F33 A14
Liverpool P17 W12 D3 L2 F35 A14
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