If you are interested to know the live score and updates of Chelsea vs Liverpool second leg semi final match of Champions League, then visit the following link:
Chelsea vs Liverpool: Live Score and Updates
If you are interested to get live score, updates and live text commentary of Liverpool vs Chelsea Champions League first leg semi final match then visit the following link:
Liverpool vs Chelsea Champions League: Live Score and UpdateLiverpool and Chelsea are going to face each other in a high profile match of the first leg semi final of Champions League 2007-2008. No doubt, a mouth watering clash is waiting there in Anfield for the football fans. The match will take place today and the fans of both sides are now eagerly waiting for this high profile match. However, there are some concerns to be taken seriously, before going for the question given in the title.
First of all, this is the home match for Liverpool and they will definitely look to win the match, considering a tougher away match on the 30th April. A victory would give Liverpool an advantage and will create a pressure on Chelsea to win the next leg match. Chelsea, on the other hand, will be happy even with a draw. A 1-1 draw would give them an away goal advantage when they will take on the same opposition in the second leg match at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea is currently three points behind the leaders Manchester United in the English Premier League. There are three matches left in the season and Chelsea would face Manchester United on the 26th April. Thus, Chelsea will get a chance to narrow down the difference. So, still they have chance to win both English Premier League and Champions League this season.
In contrast to Chelsea, Liverpool has nothing to gain in English Premier League as they are currently 12 points behind leader Manchester United with three matches yet to go in the season. They are currently fourth in EPL with five points difference between third placed Arsenal and themselves. In their way to the semi final of Champions League, Liverpool defeated Arsenal in the quarter final and confirmed their third Champions League semi final in four years. Liverpool was the winner of Champions League 2005 and they have been consistently doing well in Europe, which is way contrast to their inconsistent domestic form for the last few years.
However, the good thing is that Liverpool is now fully focused on Champions League as they have nothing to achieve in EPL, except the fourth place to secure the ticket of Champions League next season. So, it seems to be an unwanted advantage for Liverpool. Anyway, this is the only tournament through which they can win silverware this season as they have already got out of FA Cup and they failed to win the Carling Cup as well. Coach Rafael Benitez is now under pressure because of consistent showing of inconsistency in English Premier League, which has become a major concern for the club over the past few years.
This is the first season for Avram Grant in charge of Chelsea and now he is also under pressure for winning trophies. If Grant can not end up winning any trophy this season, it might create enough ground for Grant to be sacked, though nothing is yet confirmed.
Now, you may ask me that why I talked about this kind of stuff, which seems to be unrelated to the topic of the article. Yes, I should have addressed the issue that who are going to win the match. However, I thought the aforementioned information was needed to make the situation and background of the match clear. For example, if Chelsea can end up with a 1-1 draw at Anfield, then don’t you think that it is not less important than a victory, and to Liverpool won’t it be something similar to a defeat at home?
Moreover, the success of Liverpool also depends on the availability of Captain Steven Gerrard in the match as he was reportedly suffering from a neck injury. However, according to latest news out, Rafael Benitez has confirmed that Gerrard has recovered from the neck injury and will lead the all reds in the crucial encounter against Chelsea. So, you can see that there are a number of things that, I think, would help Liverpool to have an advantage over Chelsea in the match. Let me give some grounds behind my claim.
At first, I would like to show an inspirational record that Liverpool holds for some years now. Liverpool has not lost to any English side visiting Anfield in European competition for the last few years. Moreover, from the very beginning in the match, Liverpool will feel an urge to win the match as they are going to play at home and they will definitely look to a victory against Chelsea in order to have an advantage ahead of the second leg match away. That is why, Liverpool will try to play aggressively from the beginning.
On the other hand, Chelsea will look to have a steady start as they will play away and considering the fact that a draw would be a satisfactory result for Chelsea might make them a bit defensive. However, after missing two matches for Chelsea, their English midfielder Frank Lampard will also play today’s match. However, Michael Essien will miss the first leg match and Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba are yet to become fully fit to take part in the match. So, you can see that Chelsea does not have a full strength squad ahead of the trip to Liverpool.
Liverpool players are at their best to take on Chelsea. Except Steven Gerrard, I could not find any more major injury news in Liverpool squad. Fernando Torres must have to play a big part in the match, while Chelsea defenders must be up to the mark to stop this Spaniard scoring goals.
At last, I would like to say that to me, Liverpool is favorite in the match considering their less injured squad and some other factors. However, it does not mean that Chelsea has no chance in the match. If Chelsea starts playing aggressively, then it would definitely create some pressure on the host side and that is what they need to do if they want to leave Arsenal with an encouraging result.
I predict Liverpool would win the match by 1-0. What do you think will be the score line and who are going to win the match?
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