Liverpool Vs Chelsea 1st leg

kal-el thumbnail
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Posted: 17 years ago
#1

Chelsea will be hoping to make it third time lucky as they get set to face Liverpool in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

The two sides have met each other on three previous occasions in Europe's premier club competition, with two of those encounters coming at the last four stage.

Liverpool have emerged victorious over the two legs on both of those occasions, going on to lift the trophy in an epic final against Milan in 2005, before falling short against the same opponents two years later.

If the last six European meetings between the two sides are anything to go by then there is unlikely to be a goal fest at Anfield on Tuesday, as only three goals have been scored during those games.

It should be an intriguing battle on Merseyside though as the competition's most potent attack, Liverpool with 26 goals, attempt to breach the tightest defence - Chelsea have conceded just four so far.

Both teams also boast plenty of Champions League pedigree among their ranks, as their squads each contain six players who have lifted the trophy before.

With the game seemingly almost impossible to call, both sides' recent form in Europe would also suggest that the tie is delicately poised.

Liverpool have won their last four Champions League games at Anfield, scoring 18 goals in the process, while Chelsea have lost only one of their last 10 in the competition.

Gerrard back

The Reds had been sweating on the fitness of their inspirational captain Steven Gerrard in the run up to the game, but he has now been declared fit to lead them into battle.

Gerrard completed a full training session at Melwood on Monday, and afterwards manager Rafa Benitez was able to confirm that the 27-year-old had recovered from the neck injury which ruled him out of Saturday's Premier League win at Fulham.

Benitez confirmed that he has no new injury problems to deal with, with Daniel Agger and Harry Kewell both out long-term.

The Spanish coach made eight changes at Craven Cottage, with Fernando Torres on the bench.

However, the 30-goal top scorer will face Chelsea, as will Alvaro Arbeloa, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt and Xabi Alonso - who were all left out against the Cottagers.

Lampard returns

While Liverpool will be happy to have Gerrard back among their ranks, Chelsea will be equally as delighted to see Frank Lampard rejoin their squad for the first leg encounter.

The Chelsea vice-captain has missed the club's last two matches to be at the bedside of his mother Pat, who is ill in hospital with pneumonia.

Chelsea will definitely be without goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini (hamstring), while striker Didier Drogba remains doubtful with a knee complaint.

Midfielder Michael Essien is another who will miss out as he must serve a suspension after picking up a second yellow card in the knockout stages during the Blues' quarter-final success over Fenerbahce.

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-farah- thumbnail
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Posted: 17 years ago
#2
hey this is gna be a v high action packed game

and the outcome 0-0
thts how action packed it gna b
$weet n $xc thumbnail
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Posted: 17 years ago
#3

yeees chelsea got the away goal

wel thanx 2 liverpool lool

it wasnt a great semi-final kinda borin and it ended 1-1

and chelsea have got the advantage

Edited by $weet n $xc - 17 years ago
kal-el thumbnail
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Posted: 17 years ago
#4
yep thanks to liverpool chelsea got out of jail
lampard played rubbish
-farah- thumbnail
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Posted: 17 years ago
#5
oh what a crap game to be honest but the build up to te liverpool goal was class pure class amazing and the cross by gerrad. . well chelsea were bound to sneak one in weren't they. So they have the upper hand going into the second leg next week
kal-el thumbnail
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Posted: 17 years ago
#6
yep but lets see

the omens dont look good for liverpool
Howlarious thumbnail
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Posted: 17 years ago
#7
this was a good match compared to that man u barca dragggggg 😳 😆 😆

riise smashed it at the end when he own goaled 😆 😆 😆

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