Liverpool-Chelsea: Red Versus Blue

The Champions League semi-final has thrown up a familiar tie. Liverpool versus Chelsea. Red versus Blue. Heart versus money.

The two sides have met for the past three years in semi-finals. They met twice in the 2005 and 2007 Champions League semi-finals and in 2006 they met in the FA Cup semi-final.

All three times Liverpool emerged triumphant, which is why I believe that Liverpool will go on to win this tie and march on to Moscow.

Chelsea play a boring, tasteless type of football. People may argue that Liverpool plays the same kind of game as well, but what Liverpool has and what Chelsea lacks is passion for the game and heart.

In Anfield, this is magnified with the Kop cheering whole-heartedly for their team (Did we not get a taste of that in the match against Inter Milan?) As it was said "Money can buy you big players and nice flags, but it can't buy passion."

If Avram Grant underestimates the influence the Kop has on the game, then he is committing a serious mistake. He has to know that Fenerbache is no Liverpool, and that playing away at Fenerbache is completely different from playing in Anfield.

Despite promising to play "attractive football," Avram Grant hasn't been able to fill Mourinho's big shoes. I do believe that Grant receives less credit than he deserves, but his recent spat with the press hasn't gained him any popularity.

If Mourinho hasn't been able to defeat Liverpool, then neither will Grant.

Fernando Torres, of course, throws the game onto a whole new level. Last year there were periods when Liverpool had a solid hand in midfield, but just couldn't convert chances into goals.

This year, El Nino is up front with 30 goals behind him. John Terry should be pissing his pants.

Chelsea are suffering from a series of injuries and suspensions, most notably Essien, Ballack and Drogba, which will not work to their favour especially since Gerrard has been declared fit to play.

Liverpool will win on aggregate and go on to the final. Chelsea just won't be able to cope with Liverpool and will crash out.

The rest of the world will keep a close eye on the second fixture between Manchester United and Barcelona which has the makings of a classic. This year's final should definitely be better than last years.

C'mon you Red men!!