Chelsea ride the storm to salvage a draw
By Khilen Mehta
European nights at Anfield are known for their passion, their energy and the vociferous nature of the fans. Last night was no exception. Under the presence of controversial owner Tom Hicks, the fans were loud and the team was superb. The club has been shrouded under dark clouds recently but deep into extra time, it seemed that all was well again in Liverpool’s world. The famous anthem reverberated around the ground and the fans thought they were about to witness another great Anfield european night.
They say you create your own luck in football. Yesterday Chelsea did nothing to back up this statement but still somehow came out of the game with one foot in the Champions League Final in Moscow. There were 94 mins played when this Champions League semi-final tie was turned on its head by John Arne Riise’s own goal. For all their shortcomings in the league, Liverpool showed just why they are so feared in Europe. Chelsea owed much to the class of their goalkeeper, Petr Cech, who reaffirmed his status as the best keeper in the world. Without him, this tie could easily have been out of reach but at the end of the night, Chelsea held the advantage.
For over an hour Liverpool continually piled forward and played Chelsea off the park. In midfield, Alonso and Mascherano were superb and upfront Dirk Kuyt was a constant menace. Kuyt has come in for a lot of stick but his run of scoring in every round of the Champions League continued last night as he gave Liverpool the lead before half time. In the second half, Liverpool upped the tempo and it looked like they could have scored two or three more but were thwarted every time by the ever impressive Petr Cech. Many of Chelsea´s players in contrast didn’t even look interested in comparison. Dider Drogba, for example, spent more of his time feigning injury than he did trying to get Chelsea back in the game.
But such is football. In recent seasons some will say that Liverpool will have had their fair share of luck in the competition, and last night they learnt that fate works both ways. It was a moment of madness from John Arne Riise. He has proven himself to be so one footed in recent seasons, that Liverpool fans had their hearts in their mouths when the ball came across the area. One moment of madness later, and Chelsea all off a sudden held the advantage.
Liverpool though will not be too worried. Although the records show that they are yet to score a goal at Stamford Bridge under Benitez, the Champions league brings out the best in Liverpool and they are yet to play there with Fernando Torres. Inspired by recent runs in the competition, the fans, players and even the manager are still visibly bullish.
Chelsea will be thinking they have one foot in the final. But Liverpool Football Club is built for occasions like this. Chelsea beware, come next wednesday, we will come out fighting.