Liverpool and Chelsea rivalry built on Euro nights
Columnist
By Adrian Musolino, 8 Apr 2009 Adrian Musolino is a Roar Expert
Liverpool's Steven Gerrard scores from the penalty spot against Athletico Madrid during their Champions League, Group D, soccer match at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. AP Photo/Paul Thomas
For the fifth consecutive European season, Liverpool and Chelsea meet one another when they line up at Anfield Thursday morning Australian time. The latest chapter in their UEFA Champions League rivalry promises to be as thrilling as the previous encounters.
When the Champions League draw was made over a fortnight ago, the odds were that, with the big four EPL squads in the quarterfinal draw, there would be at least one all-English match up.
Murphy’s Law dictated it would be Liverpool and Chelsea. Again!
The rivalry between the two clubs isn’t a traditional one. There is more venom for Liverpool in playing Manchester United, for example, with more historical and cultural division, while Chelsea has plenty of local London rivals to keep them busy.
But the recent run of European match-ups has given ties between Liverpool and Chelsea extra spice.
The first of the five consecutive meetings in Europe set the scene for the drama and controversy that would follow over the following years when a goal by Liverpool’s Luis Garcia’s, or as then Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho called it, a “ghost goal,” decided the tie.
Despite last season’s defeat in the semi final, albeit decided in extra time of the second leg, Liverpool are the bookies’ favourites, assisted no doubt by their much improved fortunes in the EPL relative to the past few seasons when, at this stage of the season, their concentration had turned to Europe as they found themselves lamenting another domestic league capitulation.
Now they are engaged in a mighty struggle at home. Chelsea are only three points shy of the Reds in the EPL.
But Liverpool’s big game players are in better form than their Chelsea counterparts.
Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are the twin towers of Liverpool, but this season they have been ably supported by the supporting cast.
Liverpool have already done the double over Chelsea in the Premier League this season, but face a Guus Hiddink lead Chelsea for the first time. This adds an extra element of uncertainty to the tie.
The tactical battle between Hiddink and Rafael Benitez will be fascinating, in addition to the midfield battles with world-class players such as Gerrard, Lampard and Ballack.
Liverpool’s favouritism is slightly negated by the fact the second leg is at Stamford Bridge, and the recent return of Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Essien, not to mention the form of Didier Drogba, who sealed Liverpool’s fate in last season’s second leg extra time drama.
The focus may be on Liverpool, but don’t underestimate the hunger of Chelsea.
If Liverpool fans are starved for EPL success, Chelsea, fans and players, are equally desperate for European success, especially after last season’s agonising final defeat in penalties to Manchester United in Moscow.
Great rivalries are built on history and Liverpool and Chelsea have plenty of that.
You feel another great chapter will be added in the next fortnight.
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Kazama said | April 8th 2009 @ 9:54am | Report comment
I really hate Liverpool, more than any other sporting team in the world at the moment, and our regular UCL meetings have likely fuelled that. Before they “beat” us in 2005 and went on to win the thing they were just like any other team to me, now they are our mortal enemies. It was a sweet victory when we beat them last year, hopefully we can send them packing again.
Alex Moore said | April 8th 2009 @ 11:11am | Report comment
Another European night at Anfield!!!
Hiddink’s club record in Spain was poor and while he won the old European Cup with PSV in the 80′s, I think that Benitez’s wizadry in the latter stages of the competition will see the Reds through.
The 2005 win was miraculous when you consider who was in that squad; Djimi Traore, Milan Baros, Igor Biscan, Jerzy Dudek, Josemi, Antonio Nunez and yes Harry “I’ve got the gout in my mid-20′s” Kewell. To get this bunch of one-trick ponies a Champions League winners medal is unbelievable.
The 2005 semi final win was not down to a lucky goal only, look at the tape and see how many chances Chelsea squandered. Eidur Gudjohnsen’s miss meant he was sold in the summer (albeit to Barca).
Liverpool’s form versus the Top 4 is exemplary this year.
You know the crowd will lift.
And besides, Chelsea won’t be saved by a Riise OG this year.
Kazama… you’re done son!
megatron said | April 8th 2009 @ 2:03pm | Report comment
Well Man United may have taken themselves out of the equation meaning the winner of this tie and Barca will be favourites.
jimbo said | April 8th 2009 @ 4:40pm | Report comment
From the EPL perspective Manu will be hoping they tear each other apart. Hiddink’s Blues to win of course.
Five years in a row they are drawn against each other – where are the conspiracy theorists?
Does the Italian FA supervise the draw?
megatron said | April 8th 2009 @ 5:19pm | Report comment
Man U are falling out of form at the wrong time of the season. They peaked too early.
Millster said | April 8th 2009 @ 5:55pm | Report comment
Liverpool v Barca would be a glorious final especially if Barca bring the game that they put on in the first half against Lyon a couple of weeks back…
Dave said | April 8th 2009 @ 6:18pm | Report comment
Megatron
Dont worry about Man Utd they just like keeping things interesting right up until the end.
United to win in Porto, continue winning in the EPL and to reach the FA Cup final. 5 trophies still on track.
Kazama said | April 8th 2009 @ 8:41pm | Report comment
jimbo: “Does the Italian FA supervise the draw?”
Was thinking that but there’s no Italian teams left, which pretty much moots it. Plot could go deeper though, who knows.
I guess it is just destiny that good (Chelsea) and evil (Liverpool) must do battle as often as possible. Either that or it’s all a work like a WWE match. Maybe during the game a huge shock – Stevie G will turn heel…er…face and score an own goal to help Chelsea win… wait, that already happened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WMliLUCWGY
Millster: “Liverpool v Barca would be a glorious final…”
Too bad it won’t happen. Liverpool and Barca will meet in the semis if they both prevail. But, they won’t.
megatron said | April 9th 2009 @ 7:53am | Report comment
Ouch I didn’t expect that!
Slippery Jim said | April 9th 2009 @ 11:00am | Report comment
“Chelsea won’t be saved by a Riise OG this year” Very true Alex Moore. Ivanovic made up for the loss of Riise nicely. Better luck next season.