Chelsea’s Hurdle Tonight …

By: Sam | April 22nd, 2008

… is to go away to Anfield, relax and be themselves.

Torres_and_others Liverpool looked relaxed yet intense at their Mellwood training ground yesterday. They will need every ounce of repose because in the charged atmosphere of Anfield this evening the pressure will be on the home side to get goals while not conceding. They will be mindful of how difficult it will be to get their own away goal in the second leg at Stamford Bridge next week.

Gerrard versus Lampard Chelsea, for their own part, will be focused on not conceding, too. To do so they will have to cut off service between Gerrard and Torres. This will make it more likely that the chances will come from Alonso, Mascherano, and through Kuyt’s uncanny industry. Something tells me Crouchy will play a factor above the clouds there in the box. Logic suggests a negative, awful lack of footballing display — a spiraling two-way Catenaccio … but it’s the Champions League semifinal and logic be damned!

Crouchy Aside from the pressure on production, the key performances from Liverpool for a successful home first leg need to come especially from Mascherano, Alonso and Kuyt tracking back, for Chelsea will be formidable on the counter from Cole, Essien & Kalou. Drogba will not likely be successful up front if he remains too isolated. A goal from Ballack — not Lampard because he tightens up around the box in the big game — is possible, given the German’s desire to achieve something here.

Mascherano Makelele must offer his customary titanic influence, and Carvalho must be mistake-free. Even if Essien is at right back, he will need to get forward and make trouble for Aurelio, Hyypia or (the better for Chelsea if it’s) Riise.

An early goal will open things up. That’s what I’m hoping for from these familiar giants. People are bored with these two, but it’s the Champions League and we’ll see some excellent & determined football at times like this when career ambitions lie upon the line.

See Daryl’s Liveblog of the match starting 2:45 Eastern Standard Time.