© EuroFootball.com
On Tuesday, "Liverpool" and London's "Chelsea" are facing perhaps the most important match of the season – the two English super clubs will clash in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final at "Anfield" stadium.
Liverpool, "Anfield Road" stadium. Referee: Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez - (Kick-off – 21:45 Lithuanian time)
TV: Tango TV (live broadcast)
Pre-match thoughts
"Liverpool" undoubtedly faces a very difficult task today – in order to reach the final, the "Reds" need a win with a two-goal margin. However, they may also be able to proceed with just one goal, relying on keeping their goal ‘dry‘ for 120 minutes and winning penalty shootouts, but hardly anyone is even considering this possibility.
History speaks for itself – not once in five previous encounters in the most prestigious European club football tournament has either team managed to score more than 1 goal – the matches ended in draws of 0-0 or a 1-0 victory for one of the teams.
Despite all this, "Liverpool" manager Rafael Benitez hopes that the unique atmosphere of "Anfield" stadium will help his players achieve a positive result: "We will try to take advantage of the impact of our fans, as the atmosphere will be a key factor. I have no doubt that it will be very, very difficult for the "Chelsea" team in our stronghold. I vividly remember how before the match in the semi-finals of 2005 they said that the pressure from the fans would not be a problem, but when the match started, they could not cope with it. Our fans cannot remove the opponent from the field or award a penalty kick, but they can ‘score goals‘."
Talking about the possible course of the match, the specialist said: "It‘s no secret that from the very beginning, unlike the first match, we will try to play very quickly. If we manage to maintain a similar tempo throughout the full 90 minutes, everything will be great. Of course, we did not demonstrate such a level of play in London, which we are capable of. We will win if we show it today."
Meanwhile, "Chelsea" manager Jose Mourinho, calling himself ‘special‘, stated that his team will not close up in defense and will try to solve all problems by scoring a goal.
"We will attack," said the Portuguese. "We know that if we do not concede goals, we will reach the final and that is our goal, but we also understand that by scoring in the opponent‘s field, we will gain an even greater advantage (then "Liverpool" will need a victory by two goals, i.e. scoring at least three times – ed. note). We cannot defend perfectly for 90 minutes, so it would be great if we could scare the opponents."
J. Mourinho also highlighted Didier Drogba as the biggest threat to the home team defense, and stated that "Liverpool" fans will not cause big problems for "Chelsea" players.
"Liverpool" has great defenders who often use artificial offside, but D. Drogba is very powerful and will pose a threat again. He scored a goal last week and excelled at "Anfield" stadium in last year's Premier League matches, so I have no doubt that he will be very important in this match," the manager confirmed.
"Atmosphere? I don't care what R. Benitez said, so don't even tell me. Everyone likes to play in a good atmosphere and "Liverpool" fans provide such an opportunity, but we will deal with it. I don't think a player like Claude Makelele will lose sleep over it."
Injuries
"Liverpool" does not have problems with injuries in this match – all players, except for Harry Kewell, Luis Garcia, and Fabio Aurelio who have been recovering from serious injuries for some time, are ready to play. Right-back defender Steve Finnan has recovered from a neck injury that prevented him from playing in the first leg in London, so R. Benitez's options have even increased during this week.
The Chelsea team is in a slightly different situation. Michael Ballack will not play for at least another 10 days due to a knee operation, and the main center-back Ricardo Carvalho suffered a knee injury in the weekend Premier League match.
"It is a big loss for us, as the Portuguese is our best defender this season," commented J. Mourinho on the loss.
Forward Andriy Shevchenko strained his groin and will also miss the match in Liverpool. There have been reports in the press that the Ukrainian deliberately feigned injury, as he was upset to find out that he would start on the bench for this match.
However, the Chelsea camp also received two pieces of good news – defender Michael Essien returned after suspension, and winger Arjen Robben may also be available if needed, as he recovered from a knee injury.
Other players who will miss today's Champions League match are D. Drogba, Joe Cole (both "Chelsea"), and Javier Mascherano and Jermaine Pennant (both "Liverpool").
Lineups
R. Benitez has several choices for the starting lineup from the beginning of the match. One can be sure that only unforeseen circumstances can prevent right-back S. Finnan and center-back tandem D. Agger and J. Carragher, who have firm positions in defense, from taking the field.
At the same time, on the left side, today we may see A. Arbeloa or J. A. Riise. The first option seems somewhat more realistic, as J. A. Riise would have the opportunity to play safely in defense, replacing veteran Bolo Zenden, who has not been in the best form lately.
Perhaps the biggest dilemma for R. Benitez is the central midfield position. Potentially, there are four players competing for it – Momo Sissoko, J. Mascherano, S. Gerrard, and X. Alonso. Knowing that "Liverpool" absolutely needs to score goals, it can be speculated that the coach will choose X. Alonso and S. Gerrard this time. In that case, J. Pennant would take the right-wing position, giving more attacking opportunities from the wings. It is unlikely that there will be room in the starting lineup for defensive-type midfielders M. Sissoko and J. Mascherano.
This time, there are fewer questions about the attacking line. C. Bellamy had the chance to shine in the first leg in London and in the Premier League match on Saturday against Portsmouth, but he did not impress in either of these matches and will probably yield his place to tall striker P. Crouch. This option was also highlighted by "Chelsea" manager J. Mourinho: "He is two meters tall, and R. Carvalho is not playing. Rafa is a smart coach, and it will be entirely normal if he builds the game through this forward."
Next to P. Crouch, we should see D. Kuyt.
Predicting the lineup for J. Mourinho is probably easier. M. Essien has often played in the central defensive position this season, so he should form a tandem in the heart of defense with J. Terry, replacing R. Carvalho.
P. Ferreira has successfully guarded the right defensive flank from Liverpool attacks, so he should once again start the match, displacing Lassana Diarra. A. Cole has not relinquished his solid position on the left side.
In the safety position, C. Makelele will replace M. Ballack, and J. Obi Mikel will take the place of M. Essien.
In the absence of A. Shevchenko, there is no doubt that his place will be taken by S. Kalou, who scored two goals in the last match against Bolton, assisting superstar D. Drogba.
Predicted starting lineups
"Liverpool" (4-4-2):
Pepe Reina; Steve Finnan, Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher, Alvaro Arbeloa; Jermaine Pennant, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, John Arne Riise; Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt.
"Chelsea" (4-4-2):
Petr Cech; Paulo Ferreira, Michael Essien, John Terry, Ashley Cole; John Obi Mikel, Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole; Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou
