Chelsea vs Liverpool CL 08-09: Analysis and Live Score

(This entry was originally published on Monday, April 13th, 2009)

With a view to overturning a 3-1 deficit, Liverpool is going to visit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday (14 April 2009) in the second round Champions league quarter final match. Thanks to their 3-1 humiliation in the first round home leg, Liverpool is now left with a seemingly incredible task of putting 3 goals without conceding any against Chelsea at their home turf which was one of the most fearful fortresses in Europe even until the beginning of the current season. However, Chelsea does not seem to be as fearful at home as they were over the last few seasons, but the Blues hold on to a clear advantage ahead of the second round showdown with Liverpool. So, Liverpool now has to turn the seemingly impossible task into possible, if they are to make to the last four of the competition.

Match: Chelsea vs Liverpool, Quarter Final, UEFA Champions League 08-09

Date: 14 April 2009, Tuesday

Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England

Kick off: 19:45 BST (British Standard Time)

Live on: Sky Sports TV Channel, BBC Radio Five Live

Liverpool was humiliated when they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in front of home crowd, but the Reds came back to their high-flying form against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend as the Benitez boys routed Blackburn 4-0 at home. So, Liverpool has perhaps recovered their confidence lost through the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea recently. Still, there are many who are not very optimistic about Liverpool’s mission of clinching an excellent come-from-back victory over Chelsea on Tuesday. If Liverpool can make their fifth semi final appearance in five Champions League seasons, the Reds can dedicate their achievement to those 96 Liverpool supporters who lost their lives in Hillsborough disaster during a FA Cup semi final against Nottingham Forest in 1989 as the tragedy marks its 20^th year on the day after the second round match against Chelsea.

However, I already mentioned that the task would not be an easy one for Liverpool. Moreover, Chelsea’s 16-match unbeaten streak at home in Champions league would definitely add to the worries of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez. In fact, Chelsea won all of their last 7 home games in Europe, an indication of Chelsea’s scintillating form in Europe. However, Liverpool’s worry could be lessen given that Chelsea captain John Terry would not be able to play the second round match due to suspension, and thus, making a void in Chelsea’s central defense. In his absence, Alex would pair up with Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho who is now totally fit to feature in the starting eleven of Chelsea in the visit of Liverpool. Still, Terry’s absence is a big blow for the Blues and a big relief for the Liverpool strikers.

Chelsea’s struggling 4-3 victory over Bolton Wanderers at the weekend could also make the Reds hopeful. In fact, Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink was very much angry at Chelsea’s vulnerable performance during the second half of the 4-3 win over Blackburn when Chelsea saw their 4-0 lead being decreased to 4-3 in just nine minutes, resulting into a hard-fought finish. Chelsea defense looked really very fragile which must have generated some worries for Hiddink and his boys ahead of the home match against Liverpool.

Ahead of the crucial match, Liverpool can take inspiration from their historic come-from-back victory over AC Milan in the Champions League 2004-05 final. The Reds were 3-0 down at the half time, but the spirited Liverpool put 3 goals in the second half, before winning the match on tie-breaker, and thus, clinching their 5^th Champions league title. However, Liverpool’s recent scoring form on the road in Europe against English opponent is not that much satisfactory as they failed to score in 8 of their 17 games against premier league opponents in Champions league. In those games, Liverpool could score only 13 times. On the other hand, Chelsea lost only 2 of their 14 games against English rivals in Europe with both the defeats being against Liverpool on the road.

Chelsea could relish on the excellent scoring form of Ivorian striker Didier Drogba who has scored four out of their last four Champions league appearances for Chelsea. So, you can see that Drogba will be very crucial for the Blues against Liverpool. Moreover, Michael Essien also displayed a superb performance in the first round tie with the Reds, restricting Gerrard with sheer success. In the absence of Terry, Ricardo Carvalho must take a big responsibility of Chelsea defense to nullify the Liverpool attacks.

Manager Rafael Benitez has indicated that he is ready to risk Captain Steven Gerrard for the trip to West London. Gerrard sat out their 4-0 win over Blackburn as he was recovering from groin injury and it is not yet confirmed if they player would be full-fit for the second round showdown. However, Benitez has said that he would feature Gerrard, despite having some minor danger in doing so.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some live score and update websites from where you can get the live score and updates of the match between Chelsea and Liverpool:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

Well, Chelsea is clearly favorite, considering their 3-1 lead and the home match advantage. However, given Liverpool’s ability of pulling off come-from-back victory and never-give-up mentality, I am not going to write off the Reds, but still I would like to say that if Chelsea does not show their worst performance of the season, Liverpool is less likely to score three goals at Stamford Bridge. Anyway, one thing is for sure that there are lots of indications available for the football fans to experience a classic match between the two premier league rivals.

Chelsea vs Liverpool Champions League 08-09: Live Updates

Chelsea (4) vs Liverpool (4)

The terrific match was ened in a 4-4 draw. Chelsea reached the semi final of Champions League on 7-5 aggregate.

90+3 minutes: Fernando de Santo came in place of Drogba just before the final whistle came.

90+1 minutes: Drogba is little bit injured now.

90 minutes: Essien cleared a seemingly goal from the line.

89 minutes: Lampard scored the equalizer for Chelsea. It is now 4-4.

85 minuts: Babel comes in place of Arbeloa.

84 minutes: Drogba was about to score, but his shot went just off the target.

83 minutes: Reira's cross was headed home by Torres. Liverpool is now leading by 4-3. What an evetful match it is!

81 minutes: Lucas' shot was deflected into the post. It is 3-3 now.

80 minutes: Ballack's free kick went wide off the target.

76 minutes: Chelsea scored another one thanks to Lampard who scored from Drogba's pass.

74 minutes: Liverpool had a number of threatening attack in the last couple of minutes. Aurelio shown yellow card.

70 minutes: Reira comes in place of Mascheranho. Reds need two more goals without refund to make it to the last four.

67 minutes: Ballack failed to defeat Liverpool keeper after receiving a pass from Drogba.

65 minutes: Ashlay Cole shown yellow card and he would miss the semi final if Chelsea progresses to the last four.

63 minutes: Liverpool went very close to score again, but Ivanovic cleared it.

60 minutes: Chelsea is now full of confident and is attacking more. Chelsea got another free kick, but nothing happened.

57 minutes: ALex scored from an excellent free kick. Tremendous come back from Chelsea. It is now 2-2.

55 minutes: Drogba's free kick went jsut off the target. Another threatening attack from Chelsea.

51 minutes: Chelsea scored superbly as Anelka's cross was just tapped by Drogba before going into the post.

47 minutes: A threatening attack from Liverpool. Peter Cech came forward, but later on chaged his mind, keeping his goal open. Chelsea was lucky not to have conceded a goal.

46 minutes: Second half started just now.

It is half time in the second leg quarter final match at Stamford Bridge. It was an eventful first half. We are hoping the second half will be more eventful. So, be with us for the second half updates.

Steven Gerrard did not feature in the Liverpool first eleven.

45 minutes: Two threatening attacks from Liverpool, one hit the cross bar too. Chelsea was lucky not to have conceded the thrid one here.

44 minutes: Liverpool got two back-to-back coners, but nothing happend.

43 minutes: Alonso's free kick went stright to Chelsea goalkeeper.

40 minutes: Banayoun shown yellow card for tackling Anelka illigally.

38 minutes: Chelsea seems to be in more attacking mood now.

36 minutes: There is a famous saying that "Attacking is the best form of defending." That is pehaps the reason for Hiddink to bring on Anelka in place of Kalou.

33 minutes: Liverpool got a corner, but Chelsea defense was up to the mark.

31 minutes: Chelsea had a threatening attack and got a free kick. Lampard took the free kick poorly.

28 minutes: Liverpool was awarded a penalty, and Alonso scored. Liverpool is now leading by 2-0. Ivanovic was shown yellow card.

25 minutes: Chelsea got a free kick and Malouda took it, but nothing happened in the end.

23 minutes: Alonso sent a threatening pass, but it found no one in the box.

21 minutes: Liverpool seems to be more confident now after scoring a goal.

19 minutes: WHAT a GOAL! What a GOAL! Liverpool's Aurelio scored from a long-range free-kick. Peter Cech must take the responsibility of the goal.

15 minutes: Cole's cross did not find anyone in the Liverpool box and goalkick for Liverpool.

13 minutes: Fernando Torres missed perhaps the easiest chance of the match as he failed to convert Benayoun's flick from a short range.

10 minutes: Chelsea seems to be more organized, while Liverpool is in more attacking mode.

8 minutes: Drogba looked to be little bit injured, but the Ivorian international recovered it. Liverpool is now on attack.

5 minutes: Liverpool seems to be in attacking mode, but they do not seem to be very organized in attack.

2 minutes: Btoh sides had attacks in the first two minutes, but nothing happened in the end.

0 minute: The match has started just now.

Players are now warming up in the field.

Chelsea and Liverpool lock horn in a much-anticipated second round quarter final match of Champions League tonight (14 April 2009) at Stamford Bridge. With 3-1 first leg win, Chelsea holds an advantage, but Liverpool is gearing up to make another historic come-from-back victory as they did in the Champions League 2005 final against AC Milan.

Here, in this entry, we will be giving you live updates of the match after every few minutes. The match kicks off at 19:45 BST (British Standard Time). So, be with us when the match starts.

Chelsea vs Liverpool EPL 08-09: Injury News

The top two clubs of premier league table lock horns tomorrow in a mouthwatering battle. Though Liverpool could manage only 4 points from 6 games against the ‘Big Four’ clubs last season, the Reds can take inspiration from their morale-booster home victory over Manchester United last month. Chelsea, on the other hand, has been in a high-flying form now and will go into the match on the back of six clean sheets in a row. Moreover, the Blues are now undefeated in 74 league matches at home, a rare feat for any club in any football league.

Both the sides are confident enough to pull off a victory and there are many who consider this as a deciding match of the season. Both Chelsea and Liverpool are now leading the point table with equal 20 points from 8 matches, though Chelsea holds the top place on better goal difference. Liverpool showed their mental strength by pulling off two excellent come-back victories, while Chelsea stunned all by remaining at the top keeping six clean sheets consecutively, despite missing more than half of the regular team players through injury for the last few weeks. So, there is no lack of confidence in both sides.

However, both Chelsea and Liverpool are facing some injury woes in the lead up to the hard-fought encounter tomorrow. Liverpool fans can feel happy to know that two influential midfielders- Captain Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alondo, who were limped off during Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in Champion League- have shaken off their injury and are ready to feature against Chelsea. However, striker Robbie Keane is a major doubt for the Chelsea match as he has not fully recovered from his groin injury that he picked up during the 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid. Most importantly, Liverpool’s key striker Fernando Torres, who missed the Champions League match against his former club Atletico Madrid, is also doubtful for the match. Torres is very close to full recovery from hamstring injury that picked up while representing Spain in world cup qualifier recently. However, manager Rafael Benitez might risk his top gun against Chelsea, considering the importance of the match.

Chelsea was badly hit by injury over the last one month as they had to feature a second string team both in domestic league as well as in Europe and it was really a stern test for their new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari to keep the Blues at the top of the table and the Brazilian passed with flying colors as Chelsea looked more formidable without the likes of John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Deco, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba. Now, most of them have returned to action recently and manager Scolari will have most options at hand. However, still, Chelsea is missing a number of players including Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Michael Essien. Joe Cole and Ashley Cole are fit and might feature in the visit of Liverpool.

Well, I think, injury will not deplete the attraction of the high-profile match by any means. There is hardly any doubt that Stamford Bridge is going to turn into a battle field on Sunday when Chelsea and Liverpool will vie not only for three points but also for a morale-booster victory that would definitely put the winning team firmly on course of retaining the premier league title.