Chelsea-Liverpool (UEFA 14 Mar 2009)
The clash between the 'Blues' and 'The Reds' has always given spectators full value for their money and Wednesday's match between thee two clubs was no exception. Liverpool were in Red hot form,scoring more than a couple of goals in recent matches with absolute ease. Chelsea with their new manager Guus Hiddink were upbeat, their key players Drogba and Ballack feeling a lot more comfortable under him. Liverpool went into the game with a lot of confidence, they faced an uphill task of scoring 3 or more goals at Stamford Bridge to survive the competition. Chelsea were sitting comfortably having scored 3 crucial away goals at Anfield last week.
The first half started with the usual rituals with both captains exchanging their respective club's flag and posing for the photo-shoot. Liverpool started off in the most aggressive manner, creating space for themselves and putting Chelsea in the backfoot. Rafa picked up a side which everyone thought was not good enough to compete with Chelsea but he (Rafa) once again proved that he was a tactical genius. Liverpool were without their local hero Steven Gerrard. The manner in which Liverpool were taking the game to Chelsea was commendable and it was only a matter of time when Liverpool would find the back of the net. Nineteen minutes had passed when Liverpool got a free-kick about 30-40 yards from goal. Fabio Aurelio stepped up to take the freekick, his teammates anxiously waiting at the far post to receive the ball and head it in. Aurelio has always thought of innovative ways to take a free-kick and this time he found the Chelsea goalie hovering near the far post and cheekily curled the ball into the near post and into the goal. Stamford bridge was stunned,Petr Cech puzzled and Aurelio celebrating. Liverpool were 1-0 up, one third of the task completed. Chelsea could still not find their rhythm and were struggling to get the ball anywhere near their goal. Ten minutes had passed since Aurelio had scored the first goal; Skrtel failing to slot the ball into the net from the six yard box but to everyones astonishment Liverpool were awarded a Spot kick. This time the culprit was Ivanovich, he wrapping his arms completely around Alonso and bringing him down inside the box. Alonso stepped up to take the penalty and sent Petr Cech the wrong way,giving Liverpool 2-0 lead before half time. The Scousers(Liverpool fans) were in cloud nine,celebrating their team's awesome two goals. Chelsea were shell shocked. Both teams went into half time with Liverpool brimming with confidence. Chelsea made a change just before half time,bringing inAnelka (former Liverpool) and taking out Kalou.
The second half began with Liverpool pressing for that vital third away goal, bringing their defenders too in the front. Chelsea must have received a dose of inspiration from their manager during the break,they scored the first goal of the second half within 10 minutes from the start,Anelka passing the ball to Drogba ;who got the faintest of the flicks and took Reina by surprise. Reina ultimately spilled the ball into the Chelsea goal. Chelsea were now revived but this didn't matter for Liverpool as they still had to score the third goal to move to the next stage of the competition. Liverpool pressed harder for the third goal but of no avail. Chelsea received a free kick and it was drilled in with force by the Brazilian Alex, taking Chelsea level with Liverpool on the score line. Things became worse for Liverpool when Lampard scored the third goal for Chelsea,completely turning the game in their favour and making Liverpool's task almost impossible. Stamford Bridge which remained silent in the first half were making one hellva a noise.
Football is a crazy game and things quickly turn either way. It requires just a couple of good passes,smart crossings,tactical switches between the players and some luck to win the game. Just when the fans were writing off Liverpool,they came back from the dead in the most amazing manner. Liverpool have scored late goals umteen number of times this season and this match was no exception. Lucas Lieva struck the ball hard, it scrapping Essien's arm before getting into the back of the net. Cech could do nothing as it was a wicked deflection. Couple of minutes after the goal from Lucas,Kuyt headed the ball in from a superb cross from the Spaniard Reira. Liverpool were now 4-3 up and needed just one goal to win the match. Seven minutes remained for Liverpool to complete the task and move to the next stage of the competition. But it was destined that Chelsea should go through,Lampard slotting the ball in for a fourth goal for Chelsea and the second for him. The score was tied at 4-4 and Chelsea move to the semis based on a 7-5 aggregate. Had Liverpool won the match 5-3 it would have been the most dramatic and enthralling comebacks in UEFA history. Never mind Liverpool did their best and entertained their fans to the fullest. They went down fighting and can be proud of themselves.
Liverpool, you are great!!!
