Champions League Draw: Familiar Foes Chelsea and Liverpool Lock Horns Again

Liverpool will face Chelsea in the upcoming Champions League quarterfinals, while Manchester United meet Porto and Arsenal must take on Villarreal.

It is the fifth consecutive season that the two English sides have been paired together.

Liverpool and Chelsea have famously played each other in each of the last three seasons at the semifinal stage with Liverpool triumphing twice, and Chelsea getting the upper hand last season.

It was largely expected that at least two of the four English teams would be paired.

In 2005, the semifinal between the two sides was infamously decided by, "the goal that never was". The following season, Liverpool again triumphed when they went through on penalties after both sides won their respective homes games 1-0.

Last season it was Chelsea's turn to get one over their rivals. After getting the much needed away goal, which none of the teams had managed the previous two seasons, Chelsea finished the job at home with a 3-2 scoreline after extra time.

Liverpool chief executive was said to be a "relieved man" after the draw, which meant Liverpool did not have to play on the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

On the actual draw he said, "We know what we've got to do over the two legs. We know what we're capable of doing, so we will get on with it now.

It's not about historical form, it's about current form at this stage of the season.

Obviously at the moment we're coming into form, so fingers crossed we are peaking nicely and if we can keep everybody fit, we're optimistic."

And on the fact that the second leg will be played at Stamford Bridge, Parry said," "I don't think that bothers us. I don't think it makes a significant difference."

History shows that the side that plays the second leg at home goes through. Liverpool played their second leg at Anfield the first two seasons and getting through, while Chelsea got their advantage last season and also went through.

It would be foolish to say that the tie is now a foregone conclusion but it gives Chelsea fans every bit of hope of advancing to the semifinals.

Note how Manchester United conveniently always manages to avoid English teams. Chelsea and Liverpool have faced each other three times in the semifinals as well as being put in the same group once.

Chelsea and Arsenal have also faced each other at the quarterfinal stage in 2004.

Liverpool and Arsenal were paired together in last season's quarterfinals.

Other ties include Barcelona vs Bayern Munich, which promises to be a mouth watering occasion.

The winner of Liverpool-Chelsea will meet the winner of Barcelona-Bayern Munich.

The winner of Manchester United-FC Porto will meet the winner of Arsenal-Villarreal.