Champions League Preview: Liverpool vs Chelsea

By Gareth Freeman

It seems almost as if this fixture is a part of the regular football calendar now, rather than a random draw. This is in fact the eighth time these two teams have met in the Champions League and by now we’re all used to watching these two play out some enthralling ties. Chelsea’s semi-final victory over the Reds last year was a dubious one and I’m sure Liverpool will be keen too even the score this time around. Another stat that might give the Anfield faithful a bit of comfort, in four Champions League meetings at Anfield – Chelsea have scored just one goal.

I don’t think it really matter whether you’re at home in the first or second leg to be honest. The best team over two legs will win, its as simple as that. With Liverpool’s current form they should go into this tie as favourites with the sports betting odds but we all know how good Chelsea can be. Guus Hiddink will have to do without Nicolas Anelka though, the Frenchman has been in fine form this season and his presence will surely be missed by the Stamford Bridge side. Didier Drogba missed Chelsea’s victory over Newcastle at the weekend but it looks as if he will be fit for the game at Anfield. Drogba is without doubt a great player but for me he hasn’t been in top-form this season and if he isn’t fully fit he won’t be at the top of his game.

For me there are three players Liverpool need to really get the better of if they are too beat Chelsea – Frank Lampard, John Terry and Petr Cech. In Lampard Chelsea have a midfielder almost of the standard of Gerrard (ok, not really but he does score the odd cracker). Lampard is Chelsea’s star man and stopping him will be crucial if Liverpool are to progress to the semi-final stage. Terry has already admitted he is ‘dreading’ marking Gerrard and Torres but if there is a centre-half equipped for the task it is John Terry. If he is on top of his game chances will be few and far between but with Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun Liverpool have the players to make the most of even half-chances. Cech is probably the best keeper in the world and beating him is never going to be easy, lets just hope he doesn’t pull off a wonder game.

In the other Champions League tie on Wednesday night Barcelona welcome Bayern Munich to Camp Nou in a game that will decide Liverpool’s opponents should they progress. Barca and Bayern are the joint top scorers in the competition this year and if you’re betting backing over 2.5 goals might be a good idea. I’ll leave you with one last fact ahead of tomorrow’s meeting with Chelsea - in 11 games against English opposition in the competition (inc. last year's final against Manchester United) Chelsea have only won three games. Liverpool's only other English opponent (without Chelsea) in this competition has been Arsenal, who they beat 5-3 on aggregate in last year's quarter finals.

Reds Draw PSV

The draw for the 2006/07 Champions League quarter and semi finals are out and as the English teams were kept apart, Liverpool will have to overcome Dutch giants, PSV Eindhoven, who have just sent Arsenal packing from the competition.

I was so adamant that we'll get PSV and was pleased to get the draw. It's not because they seemed to be the weakest amongst the 8 on paper but more like getting a revenge.

The man in charge of PSV is none other than Ronald Koeman, the man who plotted our exit from last season's Champions League with Benfica. He's reknown for his continental style tactics, tight defences and counter attacks. We've seen what he has done over at Benifca last season when he took them all the way to the quarter finals before getting dumped out by champions elect, Barcelona.

It's surprising how far Koeman have taken them to this season with players of inferior quality and even managed to gun down the Gunners. It just says a lot about Koeman and his team. They're hard to beat, disciplined and well drilled. It's certainly not an easy draw for us at all.

His continental style of coaching might just be a wee bit similar to Rafa's, as both teams are terribly hard to break down. It'll definitely be a close game but the advantage Liverpool have on their hands would be the fact that the second leg of the quarter finals will be at Anfield, the fortress of noise.

Quarter Finals Draw

AC Milan (Ita) vs Bayern Munich (Ger)

PSV Eindhoven (Hol) vs LIVERPOOL (Eng)

Roma (Ita) vs Man Utd (Eng)

Chelsea (Eng) vs Valencia (Esp)



Semi Finals:

AC Milan or Bayern Munich VS Roma or Man Utd.

PSV Eindhoven or LIVERPOOL VS Chelsea or Valencia

That actually means, we MIGHT see yet another Chelsea vs Liverpool semi finals. BRING IT ON.

Champions League Round-up

There will be 8 teams in the hat for the draw tomorrow at ancient Athens, the venue for this year's Champions League final. Not much surprises when it comes to the composition of the quarter finals as all of the 8 teams have done well or just enough to squeeze through.

It has been a week of high drama. From Anfield to Mestalla. From Emirates to San Siro. Ever match provided entertainment of the highest class and not a minute of it gone down the drain.

Liverpool provided perhaps, the best result of the round despite the 1-0 defeat at Anfield. They managed to defy all critics and doubts about their credential by kicking out the defending champions with 2 excellent performances. The 2006 Kings of Europe were stymied and were perhaps, a little fortunate to escape Anfield with a win, just like their counterparts over the weekends, Man Utd.

As Riijkaard mentioned, with a bit of luck, the Reds could go all the way.



Arsenal Shocked At Home

Crashing out of the Champions League is pretty hard to take for a team that actually went all the way to the finals last season. But to crash out of all domestic cup competition in 11 days is pure heartbreaking.

The way they lost to PSV sums up their problems this season. Over-elaborating of plays and just like Liverpool, failure to put the final sword stroke. It's already an uphill task considering that pretty ridiculous defeat at Eindhoven a fortnight ago. Now with talisman, Thierry Henry, rumoured to be out for a couple of weeks, where will the Gunners go from here?

Is Wenger going to be oh so stubborn and stick to his 'beautiful football' philosophy? Or doing something pragmatic and get the right results?


French Champion Stunned

Lyon were in the driving seat after holding Roma at the Stadio Olimpico 2 weeks ago. They're always touted to be the black horse of the Champions League but never fulfilled their 'potential'. This time round, it was the Romans who dashed Gerard Houllier's dream. The Frenchman plotted their downfall back in 2001 with Liverpool and seemed like the men from the eternal city have gotten their revenge.

Especially with goal like this:



Milan Breaks Celtic Hearts

It took a brilliant individual goal from Brazilian, Kaka, to seal the win for the Rosseneri. Celtic did well to hold out for a draw at Celtic Park and they're undaunted by the former champions of Europe even at the intimidating San Siro. Goalkeeper, Arthur Boruc, put up a fine display and thwarted Milan's effort.

But when the magician weaves his magic, who's going to stop him?



Real Falters. Capello Under Pressure

Now, the Galacticos' policy of changing a manager every year seemed to be underway again after last night's result. How absurd was it to concede a goal 10 seconds into the game? Used to be known as one of the best left backs in the world, Roberto Carlos' first touch of a rapist let Hasan Salihamidzic intercept before placing the ball through the static Real defence and Roy Makaay to slam home.

As usual, Real Madrid's defence were again not present last night. Only Casillas bothered to turn up and the rest, like I've always said in a sarcastic tone, were scare crows.

Larsson Delight For United

His last game for United before moving back to his beloved Helsingborg, Henrik Larsson provided cheers for the United fans as they triumphed over the whiny French side, Lille, to advance to the next round. Nothing really interesting happened but I was quite amused to see how Mikael Silvestre got injured.

He headbutted the ground. Well, not so much of a loss, eh?


Portugese Provided Scare For Mourinho


His post match interview sounded as if he was the one who scored the winner for them. Self-important as usual, the man was nearly undone by a surprisingly good Porto side. Robben provided the equaliser after Ricardo Quaresma scored for Porto. Ballack was on hand to finish off the job with a brilliant 'volleyball' move.





Ugly News, Right At The Back

I've decided not to comment on anything Valencia and Inter after what happened post game. Just know that Valencia went through. Period.

Last 8:

LIVERPOOL (Eng)
Man Utd (Eng)
Chelsea (Eng)
AC Milan (Ita)
Roma (Ita)
PSV Eindhoven (Hol)
Bayern Munich (Ger)
Valencia (Esp)

Stay tune!