21 April 2008

Liverpool v Chelsea 04.22.08

2:45pm on espn2

Quarter-finals:
Liverpool: 4-2 Arsenal (h); 1-1 Arsenal (a)
Chelsea: 2-0 Fenerbahce (h); 1-2 Fenerbahce (a)

Round of 16:
Liverpool: 1-0 Inter (a); 2-0 Inter (h)
Chelsea: 3-0 Olympiakos (h); 0-0 Olympiakos (a)

Group Stage:
Liverpool: 4-0 Marseille (a); 4-1 Porto (h); 8-0 Besiktas (h); 1-2 Besiktas (a); 0-1 Marseille (h); 1-1 Porto (a)
Chelsea: 0-0 Valencia (h); 4-0 Rosenborg (a); 0-0 Schalke (a); 2-0 Schalke (h); 2-1 Valencia (a); 1-1 Rosenborg (h)

Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 2-0 Fulham (a); 3-1 Blackburn (h); 4-2 Arse (h)
Chelsea: 1-0 Everton (a); 1-1 Wigan (h); 2-0 Fener (h)

Goalscorers (Europe):
Liverpool: Gerrard, Kuyt 6; Torres 5; Babel, Crouch 4; Benayoun 3; Hyypia 2; Voronin 1
Chelsea: Drogba 4; Ballack, J Cole, Lampard 2; Alex, Kalou, Malouda, Shevchenko 1

Referee: Konrad Plautz (AUT)

Guess at a squad
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Hyypia Aurelio
Alonso Mascherano
Kuyt Gerrard Babel
Torres

Much of the pre-match discussion has centered on Gerrard’s neck “injury.” I put injury in quotation marks as I’m still skeptical; the fact we’ve still seen articles about it and the quotes from Benitez makes me think it might actually be legit, but part of me still thinks it’s mind games on Liverpool’s part. And if it is mind games, it’s a far better tactic than the laughable “Gerrard to Chelsea” rumors Avram Grant attempted to start. What is this, 2005?

Either way, Gerrard trained this morning and has been declared available by Benitez in today’s press conference. As has Hyypia after his head injury and halftime substitution at Fulham on Saturday.

Otherwise, I don’t expect any changes from what’s seemingly become Liverpool’s first-choice XI. There are two possibilities, but I don’t know if we’ll see either.

First, with Benayoun playing well and Babel still making more of an impact (and with a better goal return) as a substitute, Yossi could see another start on the left. But Babel’s been getting starts in the big games and has been brought further and further along as the season’s progressed. I’d be surprised if Benitez changed his methods at this stage of the campaign.

Second, Pennant’s also done well on the right recently: the sub appearance against Inter and starts against Arsenal and Fulham in the league. But I still think that Kuyt will get the nod, especially if Carragher lines up at right back. Kuyt, no matter how much better he’s done in the past couple of months, isn’t the end all, be all on the right, but with Carragher more likely to sit deeper than either Finnan or Arbeloa, Kuyt’s two-way play is especially important, and the work he puts in getting up and down the flank can’t be overlooked. I’ve been really pleased with Pennant of late, but I think he’ll be on the bench, available to make an impact like he did in the first leg against Inter.

In team news, Lampard will return for Chelsea after being on compassion leave with his ailing mother, while both Cudicini and Drogba are still doubtful through injury. Essien is suspended for this leg, but no other Chelsea players have yellow card issues. If Gerrard, Carra, or Aurelio pick up a yellow tomorrow, they’ll miss the second leg.

There’s little else that needs to be said about a Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. We’ve been here before. The difference is this time the first leg is at Anfield. Liverpool, despite frequently playing cautiously in the first legs, will need to score and need to take an advantage to Stamford Bridge. Keeping a clean sheet and keeping Chelsea from getting a critical away goal is just as important. The team has to make the Anfield atmosphere pay dividends.

9 comments :

BackBergtt said...

lets do this shit

BackBergtt said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Why did he not use his right foot? I am absolute *shit* at football, but even I can see that a ball played to the level of my shin should be kicked with a foot...I am fucking distraught at the way that ended

Micah Seymour said...

A bit harsh there dude... Look, I am a Chicago Cubs fan. I have seem them lose in every conceivable way. Without exception there's more than one reason.

Such as...

Where was Torres' finishing today? If he finishes either of those 1v1 shots on goal or doesn't misplay a perfect through ball, Liverpool is up 1, 2, or 3 goals at this point. I'm surely not blaming Torres, and yes if Riise had a freaking right foot, it would be nice, but going Escobar on him... jeez man.

BackBergtt said...

hey im not saying they SHOULD do it

to be fair torres was falling down on one of those shots, but cech played a hell of a game

if it were any other stadium next week i wouldnt feel too bad. but..

BackBergtt said...

just to clarify: i dont think he should die, but i think he is now a massive disgrace to the shirt and should be sold to villa as part of brining in barry, or sold to someone on the street for a pack of smokes and/or a case of beer

nate said...

Georger, i know you're passionate, and i pretty much love any and all comments, but i came very close to deleting the escobar comment.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, gotta be honest with you, after Gerrard, Riise was one of the reasons I started following Liverpool...He's had a really tough year, today doesn't make it any easier, but calling for the guy's head (literally) is too much.

BackBergtt said...

i apologize, i was really angry and it was uncalled for, i deleted it