The Liverpool vs Chelsea thread!!

Fey wrote:IMO Chelsea, they have finally their second game at the Bridge.

But Liverpool is owning Europe in a way never seen before. Some say that its a fluke...you can fluke once, perhaps twice or a couple of matches like Greece did.

But you cant fluke fore 3 years!

Liverpool have proved you wrong with a little help from their refereeing friends.

Supermadrid wrote:


Madrid legend slams Benitez and Mourinho

Former World Cup-winner Jorge Valdano has fiercely criticised the style of football produced by Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez, claiming it stems from their failure to find success as players.

The Argentinian, a legend at Real Madrid where he played, coached and was most recently sporting director, has criticised Chelsea boss Mourinho and Liverpool counterpart Benitez following the uninspiring Champions League semi-final tie between the English sides.
'Football is made up of subjective feeling, of suggestion - and, in that, Anfield is unbeatable. Put a s*** hanging from a stick in the middle of this passionate, crazy stadium and there are people who will tell you it's a work of art. It's not: it's a s*** hanging from a stick,' he wrote in Spanish newspaper Marca.
'Chelsea and Liverpool are the clearest, most exaggerated example of the way football is going: very intense, very collective, very tactical, very physical, and very direct.
'But, a short pass? No. A feint? No. A change of pace? No. A one-two? A nutmeg? A backheel? Don't be ridiculous. None of that. The extreme control and seriousness with which both teams played the semi-final neutralised any creative licence, any moments of exquisite skill.'
Despite his father's status in the game as a former Portugal goalkeeper, Mourinho never played professionally and instead focused his sights on a coaching future while Benitez also only achieved success by working his way up the coaching structure, having failed to make an appearance in the Primera Liga.
Valdano believes that has led to a degree of cynicism as managers.
'The lives of Mourinho and Benitez have crossed in a world that is ever more scrutinised and exposed by the media, which is why they look at each other with such distrust.
'But they have two things in common: a previously denied, hitherto unsatisfied hunger for glory, and a desire to have everything under control.
'Both of those things stem from one key factor: neither Mourinho nor Benitez made it as a player. That has made them channel all their vanity into coaching.

'Those who did not have the talent to make it as players do not believe in the talent of players, they do not believe in the ability to improvise in order to win football matches. In short, Benitez and Mourinho are exactly the kind of coaches that Benitez and Mourinho would have needed to have made it as players.'

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=428569&cc=5739
This match will be worth it just to see what Valdano says now.

If Real had Madrid at least they might actually make to the Champions League final let alone win it

Ade Alves wrote:

Supermadrid wrote:


Madrid legend slams Benitez and Mourinho

Former World Cup-winner Jorge Valdano has fiercely criticised the style of football produced by Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez, claiming it stems from their failure to find success as players.

The Argentinian, a legend at Real Madrid where he played, coached and was most recently sporting director, has criticised Chelsea boss Mourinho and Liverpool counterpart Benitez following the uninspiring Champions League semi-final tie between the English sides.
'Football is made up of subjective feeling, of suggestion - and, in that, Anfield is unbeatable. Put a s*** hanging from a stick in the middle of this passionate, crazy stadium and there are people who will tell you it's a work of art. It's not: it's a s*** hanging from a stick,' he wrote in Spanish newspaper Marca.
'Chelsea and Liverpool are the clearest, most exaggerated example of the way football is going: very intense, very collective, very tactical, very physical, and very direct.
'But, a short pass? No. A feint? No. A change of pace? No. A one-two? A nutmeg? A backheel? Don't be ridiculous. None of that. The extreme control and seriousness with which both teams played the semi-final neutralised any creative licence, any moments of exquisite skill.'
Despite his father's status in the game as a former Portugal goalkeeper, Mourinho never played professionally and instead focused his sights on a coaching future while Benitez also only achieved success by working his way up the coaching structure, having failed to make an appearance in the Primera Liga.
Valdano believes that has led to a degree of cynicism as managers.
'The lives of Mourinho and Benitez have crossed in a world that is ever more scrutinised and exposed by the media, which is why they look at each other with such distrust.
'But they have two things in common: a previously denied, hitherto unsatisfied hunger for glory, and a desire to have everything under control.
'Both of those things stem from one key factor: neither Mourinho nor Benitez made it as a player. That has made them channel all their vanity into coaching.

'Those who did not have the talent to make it as players do not believe in the talent of players, they do not believe in the ability to improvise in order to win football matches. In short, Benitez and Mourinho are exactly the kind of coaches that Benitez and Mourinho would have needed to have made it as players.'

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=428569&cc=5739
This match will be worth it just to see what Valdano says now.

If Real had Madrid at least they might actually make to the Champions League final let alone win it

What does Real have to do with anything. oh and ehm we have 9 of those things that liverpool go for every season so we can sleep for a while. also i couldnt care less about going to the final if i dont win it.

Fair and Balanced wrote:

S4P wrote:

Clergyman Supertramp wrote:Previous encounters..for the ones who forgot those classics.

2004-05 - Semi-final 0-0 1-0
2005-06 - Group stage 0-0 0-0
2006-07 - Semi-final 1-0 1-0 (Kuyt to score the final penalty)

2007-08 - Semi-final????

I wrote this out you Dutch bastard. How dare you treat me like one of your black slaves!

You're not his slave though TS, you two work together in a successful partnership.

With Mourinho out, I believe the Liverpool - Chelsea clash would be completely different this time. A first rate thriller like today would be appreciated on my part.

Jose used to be extremely cautious against Benitez and Avram Grant? His authority is low. .He just relies on his players and they're given more freedom. The leaders are Terry, Drogba, Lampard and they will be back against their arch rivals with a vengeance. Can really be interesting, at least I hope so.

Zizinho wrote:With Mourinho out, I believe the Liverpool - Chelsea clash would be completely different this time. A first rate thriller like today would be appreciated on my part.

Jose used to be extremely cautious against Benitez and Avram Grant? His authority is low. .He just relies on his players and they're given more freedom. The leaders are Terry, Drogba, Lampard and they will be back against their arch rivals with a vengeance. Can really be interesting, at least I hope so.

And if it aint my man Valdano will be sure to remind people of it.

Zizinho wrote:With Mourinho out, I believe the Liverpool - Chelsea clash would be completely different this time. A first rate thriller like today would be appreciated on my part.

Don't hold your breath.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7145789.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7223970.stm

Zizinho wrote:Jose used to be extremely cautious against Benitez

Only in the Champions League.

S4P wrote:

Zizinho wrote:With Mourinho out, I believe the Liverpool - Chelsea clash would be completely different this time. A first rate thriller like today would be appreciated on my part.

Don't hold your breath.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7145789.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7223970.stm

[quote="Zizinho"Jose used to be extremely cautious against Benitez

Only in the Champions League.[/quote]

That's what I meant - Champions League. I don't want goalless draws, a goal which wasn't there, mindless hoofing, outmuscling - a full contact style, long balls to Drogba, parking a jumbo jet, penalties in the end and so on.

And those links - 0-0 and 2-0 can hardly be called thrillers

Was always going to be a strong possibility and now it's going to happen. For all those people who claim they wont be watching, i'd be amazed if you don't, it's football, it's the champions league semi final and it's a chance for Chelsea to get revenge on Liverpool.

To slate Liverpool for boring football is nonesense, who was more attacking in last night's encounter in the second half? Arsenal could have come out and killed the game off with a second away goal or even third but we were the ones who played the good stuff in the second half, we created a few good chances and showed we have players who can entertain.

The one advantage for Liverpool in this Chelsea tie is the fact that Chelsea are very much in this title race still, would they fancy an unbelieveable robbing of Manchester United in the lengthy race for the title over a European cup? I think they would.

A massive disadvantage for Liverpool is having the second leg at Stamford bridge, this wasn't the case in 05 or last season and it really plays a big part in the final outcome IMO, particularly in these all English encounters. We saw last night what a lift the players can get when the home fans are going crazy, we saw it in 05 and 07 against Chelsea but they can only be powerful for the first leg now and then everything will rest on what we do at Stamford Bridge. We know Chelsea have a fantastic record there, our record there under Rafa has been pretty attrocious but I've seen enough from the league games with Chelsea this year to suggest with a bit more luck we could actually go and win at Stamford Bridge if we have to.

For me, the key is to not allow Chelsea to get an away goal at Anfield, if we can win 1 or 2-0 then get a goal at the Bridge then Liverpool are going to Moscow.

The danger is obviously Didier Drogba, he hasn't been the best against Liverpool in Europe but he's a player that can always score goals and do damage.

I wasn't so confident we would get through against Arsenal but I am probably more confident about this tie, pundits are tipping Chelsea as joint favorites with United but i'm not so sure, I don't know if Avram Grant has what it takes to outwit Benitez and then possibly Alex Ferguson. They do have a great squad but in terms of attractive, dangerous football I don't think Chelsea show it enough and to be honest it's the type of team Liverpool can contain if they can contain the main dangerman in Drogba.

If United and Barca get through (which they will) then any one of the 4 can win the champions league, it's wide open.

It seems that the deciding factor in this tie could be none other than the goalies. Reina has looked incredibly dodgy lately (Sagna's goal made it 3 or 4 blunders in as many matches) and if Hilarious plays both legs then Liverpool fans should be rubbing themselves in peanut butter.

Mourinho will certainly be missed though. That was part of the fun of these encounters, having Mourinho bitch about the loss after the games. Last year I almost fell in the floor when he claimed Chelsea kept attacking the whole second half and extra time when in fact neither team even attempted it. It's not much fun at all to watch that leprosy-looking patient's one expression all game or his horrible post-match interviews.

But while the games between both sides tend to be boring, the tension and hatred between both teams alone makes it watchable. Hopefully Liverpool will go through so we can have the dream final between them and ManU.

Zizinho wrote:

S4P wrote:

Zizinho wrote:With Mourinho out, I believe the Liverpool - Chelsea clash would be completely different this time. A first rate thriller like today would be appreciated on my part.

Don't hold your breath.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7145789.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7223970.stm

[quote="Zizinho"Jose used to be extremely cautious against Benitez

Only in the Champions League.

That's what I meant - Champions League. I don't want goalless draws, a goal which wasn't there, mindless hoofing, outmuscling - a full contact style, long balls to Drogba, parking a jumbo jet, penalties in the end and so on.

And those links - 0-0 and 2-0 can hardly be called thrillers [/quote]

I posted those links because they are Avram Grant's 2 previous matches against Liverpool, hence "don't hold your breath (for a thriller)".

S4P wrote:

Zizinho wrote:

S4P wrote:

Zizinho wrote:With Mourinho out, I believe the Liverpool - Chelsea clash would be completely different this time. A first rate thriller like today would be appreciated on my part.

Don't hold your breath.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7145789.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7223970.stm

[quote="Zizinho"Jose used to be extremely cautious against Benitez

Only in the Champions League.

That's what I meant - Champions League. I don't want goalless draws, a goal which wasn't there, mindless hoofing, outmuscling - a full contact style, long balls to Drogba, parking a jumbo jet, penalties in the end and so on.

And those links - 0-0 and 2-0 can hardly be called thrillers

I posted those links because they are Avram Grant's 2 previous matches against Liverpool, hence "don't hold your breath (for a thriller)".[/quote]

Sorry but I completely missed out on this "don't" . Thus I'll have to lower my expectations. Let's these words from your link not be prophetic because they sound like a familiar but a nightmare scenario:

"No further chances were created and the match ended with Liverpool failing to register their first goal at Stamford Bridge under Benitez, and Chelsea looking less than satisfied. "

Luis wrote:Was always going to be a strong possibility and now it's going to happen. For all those people who claim they wont be watching, i'd be amazed if you don't, it's football, it's the champions league semi final and it's a chance for Chelsea to get revenge on Liverpool.

To slate Liverpool for boring football is nonesense, who was more attacking in last night's encounter in the second half? Arsenal could have come out and killed the game off with a second away goal or even third but we were the ones who played the good stuff in the second half, we created a few good chances and showed we have players who can entertain.

The one advantage for Liverpool in this Chelsea tie is the fact that Chelsea are very much in this title race still, would they fancy an unbelieveable robbing of Manchester United in the lengthy race for the title over a European cup? I think they would.

A massive disadvantage for Liverpool is having the second leg at Stamford bridge, this wasn't the case in 05 or last season and it really plays a big part in the final outcome IMO, particularly in these all English encounters. We saw last night what a lift the players can get when the home fans are going crazy, we saw it in 05 and 07 against Chelsea but they can only be powerful for the first leg now and then everything will rest on what we do at Stamford Bridge. We know Chelsea have a fantastic record there, our record there under Rafa has been pretty attrocious but I've seen enough from the league games with Chelsea this year to suggest with a bit more luck we could actually go and win at Stamford Bridge if we have to.

For me, the key is to not allow Chelsea to get an away goal at Anfield, if we can win 1 or 2-0 then get a goal at the Bridge then Liverpool are going to Moscow.

The danger is obviously Didier Drogba, he hasn't been the best against Liverpool in Europe but he's a player that can always score goals and do damage.

I wasn't so confident we would get through against Arsenal but I am probably more confident about this tie, pundits are tipping Chelsea as joint favorites with United but i'm not so sure, I don't know if Avram Grant has what it takes to outwit Benitez and then possibly Alex Ferguson. They do have a great squad but in terms of attractive, dangerous football I don't think Chelsea show it enough and to be honest it's the type of team Liverpool can contain if they can contain the main dangerman in Drogba.

If United and Barca get through (which they will) then any one of the 4 can win the champions league, it's wide open.

No doubts we play some really good football at times, we lack the cutting edge players the Mancs, Aresnal and Chelsea do as well that's a no brainer but we do play, at times, some good stuff that goes totally unoticed by many.

The match on Saturday, with the move that Crouch interchanging passes with Lucas and Benayoun getting on the end of the move only to f@ck up. But it was still a great move.

Anyway...........

Many Liverpool fans said when the Liverpool - Aresnal tie was announced how crucial it was the 2nd leg was at Anfield. I assume it will play a big part again and the main hardcore Chelsea fans will be really up for it but just watching the game yesterday. I seemed after even after they got the early lead, the fans were very quiet and even agitated during the entire match though. Maybe S4P can share some light on the atomsphere at the Bridge lately.

And besides Drogba, I'm really worried about Joe Cole. The man really has a knack for scoring againist us.

I think cutting edge is exactly what Arsenal have lacked in recent weeks with Adebayor's dip in form. Their passing interplay was superb at times last night but they did not use it to carve out many clear-cut chances.

Joe Cole also broke Xabi's ankle in 2004/05, the little b******.

Roger Hunt wrote:I think cutting edge is exactly what Arsenal have lacked in recent weeks with Adebayor's dip in form. Their passing interplay was superb at times last night but they did not use it to carve out many clear-cut chances.

Joe Cole also broke Xabi's ankle in 2004/05, the little b******.

That was Lampard..

Are you sure? I was convinced it was Joke Hole....

Must be me age.

Yeah was Lumpard

Ade Alves wrote:I assume it will play a big part again and the main hardcore Chelsea fans will be really up for it but just watching the game yesterday. I seemed after even after they got the early lead, the fans were very quiet and even agitated during the entire match though. Maybe S4P can share some light on the atomsphere at the Bridge lately.

Awful. But this will be the biggest game of our season (well this and the game against the Mancs if we're still in the title race), so I expect it to be buzzing (not on the same level as the Kop obviously but there'll be lots of flags, singing pre-kick off etc).

cant see a way forward for chelsea here, i think this will be the beggining of the end of avram grant. He's ridden the wave of mourihno for a while now, but its starting to wear out. Did anyone else see just how Cr@p they were against fenerbahce?

i think chelsea will be in free-fall next season and i think liverpool will win both legs.

Well it's all or nothing now, if they beat Liverpool they will beat Manu in the final.

Imagine Chelsea lifting the trophy in their own town!! For Abramovich that must be even better.

Russians

Nibelheim wrote:Well it's all or nothing now, if they beat Liverpool they will beat Manu in the final.

Imagine Chelsea lifting the trophy in their own town!! For Abramovich that must be even better.

Russians

Never considered that. If Chelsea starting getting loads of decisions people may see a pattern.

Imagine if that would be the case!!

Moureen would be hauled as the worst coach ever. In the meantime Grant will be the special one..though not so special as Ten Cate who just won his 2nd CL in 2 years time!!

Come on you reds!!!!

I've always kind of blamed chelsea for the boring matches due to having bought a $h!t load of players for around the 20 million mark and then playing defensively/tactically against a team which practically only had 1 very good player in it until this season (and a couple of fairly average ones).

Liverpool have to rely on tactics against a team with superior players, but chelsea shouldn't have to.

110% wrote:Liverpool have to rely on tactics against a team with superior players, but chelsea shouldn't have to.

They can't have it both ways.

When they play well (e.g. Besiktas, Marseille, Porto), people say Benitez is a genius and the players are great. Yet when they don't play well it's because they have to rely on tactics and their squad of players (by this including Mascherano, Torres and your very own favourite Stevie Me) aren't good enough.

Eh?

Do you think that Besiktas, Marseille and Porto are as good sides as Inter, Arsenal and Chelsea?

So shouldn't Liverpool be able to rely more on their players and less on a successful tactic to beat those teams, while still being at a disadvantage against 'better' sides?

I don't think anyone has said that Besiktas proved that Crouch and Benayoun are great players. They had a good night and got the rub of the green.

Roger Hunt wrote:Eh?

Do you think that Besiktas, Marseille and Porto are as good sides as Inter, Arsenal and Chelsea?

So shouldn't Liverpool be able to rely more on their players and less on a successful tactic to beat those teams, while still being at a disadvantage against 'better' sides?

I don't think anyone has said that Besiktas proved that Crouch and Benayoun are great players. They had a good night and got the rub of the green.

I'm not saying that Pool fans use this as an excuse, but you can't say for example that Benitez is a genius and Liverpool are fantastic when they beat Chelsea (which people were saying last year) and then blame poor performances on a lack of money or depth.

I think that most people would agree that man-for-man Liverpool have been weaker than AC Milan, Chelsea, Inter, and Barcelona and despite this have beaten them in recent years.

I personally think that some of this is down to Rafa's tactics (it sure isn't his motivational skills).

Equally, we are worse against sides where we aren't the underdog (Porto for example) and Rafa has to take his share of the blame for that.

Rafa is a 'big match manager' except against Man U in the league.

Good games, they will tie in Stamford Bridge and Liverpool will win in Anfield.

santiago90c wrote:Good games, they will tie in Stamford Bridge and Liverpool will win in Anfield.

Luckily the game at Stamford Bridge is 2nd and I don't think Pool will win that game. Unfortunately they'll probably win at Anfield and see us off with a resolute 0-0 performance in the 2nd leg.

Who will replace Essien in the midfield?

What will the likely Chelsea team be for both legs?

I think we'll go for this at Anfield:

-------------------Reina------------------

----Carra-------Hyypia-------Skrtel---------Aurellio----------------

-------------------Masch---------Lucas---------------------------------

--------Kuyt--------------Stevie------------Babel-----------------------

--------------------------Torres------------------------------------------

And at the Bridge:

-------------------Reina------------------

----Finnan-------Carra-------Skrtel---------Aurellio----------------

-------------------Masch---------Alonso---------------------------------

--------Kuyt--------------Stevie------------Riise-----------------------

--------------------------Torres------------------------------------------