The Semi Finals – Liverpool Vs Chelsea preview

By: Rob | April 21st, 2008

Lampard will return for Chelski And then there were four. Before however, the potential magnificence of Barcelona taking on Man United at Camp Nou, we have Liverpool inviting Chelsea to Anfield. OK so this isn’t the game everyone is wanting to watch, but it has the potential to be a fascinating encounter. The guarentee of an English team in the final, and this will be the 19th and 20th times these two teams have met in the last 4 years.

Chelsea of course will be looking to avenge thier two Champions League defeats to Liverpool and banish them from thier recent memory. But how well equipped are they for the job?

Well, Frank Lampard will return after his “family issues” – ~~its in inverted commas because noone knows anything else about it~~. I Couldn’t find anything about it but Louise has been paying more attention than me – see comments!
They also should welcome back Didier Drogba and Micheal Ballack. They do suffer the disadvantage of having to play Manchester United between the two Champions League matches, making this an absolute make-or-break week for the west london club, and for Avram Grants job. His behaviour is getting stranger – but he’s apparently confident he can keep his job. Fans longing for the Jose era with still want him to lift some kind of trophy this season if he is to remain in the hotseat.

Liverpool meanwhile are worrying over a neck injury for talismatic captain Steven Gerrard. Feeling is that he is going to make it, but Rafa still feels its touch and go. They will have Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel back in the starting XI after they were rested the weekend. Rafa’s job seems to be constantly in doubt, but with the soap-opera going on above his head speculation has been diverted away from him.

Two completely cagey long-ball teams, on paper this game looks as appitising and lunch with Hanibal Lector. But the key difference this time could be the luck of the draw. Liverpool have constructed a strategy in recent times to play ultra defensive first leg (away) and then go back to Anfield and put in a might performance in front of the Kop. This time they’ve been drawn at home first leg, which should mean advantage Chelsea. Liverpool will have to attack first leg, because Chelsea’s record at Stamford Bridge is still absolutely astonishing – they just don’t loose there. Which means Liverpool have to attack in the first leg, not only that they have to score.

I think this may edge it toward Chelsea. A prediction thread is forthcoming from Adam, but I don’t mind saying that I think that if Chelsea score at Anfield, they are going to be in the Final. If Liverpool can keep a clean sheet at Anfield, they can go and try and defend at the Bridge and play for a 0-0. Either way it looks like it could be a fasinating encounter in terms of mentality.

The Key Players for either side? Lampard’s return for Chelsea is absolutely massive. But recently Micheal Ballack has managed to establish himself in the side, and a big performance for him could really make the difference.

For Liverpool, Steven Gerrard’s absence or otherwise could make the difference. His importance to Liverpool is undoubted and he’s a big loss if he isn’t in the side. Fernando Torres is having a fantastic season as well, and as he showed against Arsenal he can make a goal out of absolutely nothing.

Fernando Torres bags another goal