So a magical night awaits us all at Anfield tonight. Lets hope we can repeat the famous 4-1 victory we had a few years ago, heck i'd be happy with even a 1-0. Tomorrow will be the day Chelsea players will have to be at their very best, no matter what their form over the season they have had. They are up against an in-form Liverpool side who are still challenging for three competitions (when has that ever happened before???) and have their work cut-out for them. Chelsea fans(and even pool fans for that matter) must have now gotten quite tired of seeing each others faces by now and probably know all about each other, but this time there is one difference, Liverpool are the side to beat and will provide them with probably the sternest test of their recent encounters.
Chelsea have a new manager yet again, Guus Hiddink being the fourth who will pit his wits against the Spanish waiter Benitez, after Mourinho, Grant and, most recently, Scolari. We havent won away in the Champions League since November 2007 against Rosenberg, and tonight the boys need to put in one hell of a performance if we are to emerge with a result.
Team Talk
Call it a selection headache, or a gamble, but the team selected by Hiddink, and the tactics chosen, will make a great impact on the outcome of the game.
First, the midfield. With all of our central midfielders available, two of them in Lampard and Essien, have their places guaranteed. Of the other three, the selection depends on the strategy used by Hiddink. He could opt for either Mikel, to negate the threat posed by 'Stevie Me', and allow Lamps and Essien to push forward in attack. Or he could use Ballack/Deco in attack with Lampard and play Essien in the defensive role. This might affect the balance of play but Essien is no doubt capable of handling Gerrard! A final change could be using Essien in defense, although i doubt that will happen, given the Bison's form and threat in front of goal.
In attack, Drogba is certain to start, the man described as a pain in the butt by Liverpool stopper Pepe Reina. He could be partnered by Malouda, who had a fantastic game against Newcastle on Saturday, linking up well with Ashley Cole, and either Kalou or Anelka. Anelka might be a more suitable option o the night given Kalou's lack of finishing skill and his understanding with Drogba, which has resulted in a few good goals this season.
The defense sort of picks itself. Jose Bosingwa is expected to miss the clash due to injury, making way for Branislav Ivanovic, another who had a good game on the weekend. The central defence partnership of Terry and Carvalho should be started and Ashley Cole slots into the left-back role largely unchallenged. They will be backed by none other than Petr Cech, who has looked increasingly confident and solid at the back of late.
First, the midfield. With all of our central midfielders available, two of them in Lampard and Essien, have their places guaranteed. Of the other three, the selection depends on the strategy used by Hiddink. He could opt for either Mikel, to negate the threat posed by 'Stevie Me', and allow Lamps and Essien to push forward in attack. Or he could use Ballack/Deco in attack with Lampard and play Essien in the defensive role. This might affect the balance of play but Essien is no doubt capable of handling Gerrard! A final change could be using Essien in defense, although i doubt that will happen, given the Bison's form and threat in front of goal.
In attack, Drogba is certain to start, the man described as a pain in the butt by Liverpool stopper Pepe Reina. He could be partnered by Malouda, who had a fantastic game against Newcastle on Saturday, linking up well with Ashley Cole, and either Kalou or Anelka. Anelka might be a more suitable option o the night given Kalou's lack of finishing skill and his understanding with Drogba, which has resulted in a few good goals this season.
The defense sort of picks itself. Jose Bosingwa is expected to miss the clash due to injury, making way for Branislav Ivanovic, another who had a good game on the weekend. The central defence partnership of Terry and Carvalho should be started and Ashley Cole slots into the left-back role largely unchallenged. They will be backed by none other than Petr Cech, who has looked increasingly confident and solid at the back of late.
Prediction
Chelsea's record at Anfield in all competitions hasnt been great, with only 10 of the 75 games played there have ended in victory for the blues, Liverpool winning 49 and the rest drawn. However, i feel confident that Chelsea have enough firepower in their lockers to emerge with a result to take back to the Bridge next week. I go for a 1-1 in this leg with Lampard and Torres delivering the goods
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