Liverpool vs. Chelsea Leg 1

The Reds came out hungrily and immediately benefited from the fast start when star striker Fernando Torres struck in the sixth minute calmly finishing an Arbeloa accurate cross in the box. Kuyt gathered a botched half hearted clearance attempt and promptly back healed Arbeloa into space on the wing, where Arbeloa accurately delivered Torres an precise ball around the penalty spot. Torres had plenty of space and finished the opportunity with ease.

 Liverpool lost their intensity and complete control of the match after this early strike as a crucial mistake by the left back Aurelio abled Kalou to slip Drogba through on the keeper only for him to smash his effort off the attacking keeper Reina. Drogba should have done better. He had support to his left and could have dribbled around Reina with ease if he was properly composed.

Liverpool’s sloppiness at back continued as Chelsea continued to be given massive amounts of space in dangerous areas throughout the first half. Ballack created the next major scoring threat as he delivered a longball into Drogba who was given yet another golden chance. He was able to turn his defender in the area, only to blast his effort over the net. Another wasted chance by Drogba, as there was no need to absolutely smash the ball with such force from such a close direct distance.

Chelsea finally took advantage of the space, evening up the score line at 1 when defender Branislav Ivanoic headed home a corner. He spun away from Xabi Alonso and beat central defender Skrtel to the ball heading it just over Reina’s swinging arm in the 39^th minute. The defender who received the surprise start was overjoyed with this crucial away goal, which left the game tied at the half.

Chelsea opened the second half the hungrier side, controlling play and starting the hectic first ten minutes of the half with yet another Drogba chance. Drogba was able to round the keeper this time sending a rolling effort towards an undefended net, but central defender Jaimie Carragher desperately cleared it off the line in sliding fashion to rescue the Reds. This chance was a direct product of yet another Auerlio give away at back, and the sloppiness was bound to scorn the reds eventually.

A collision between Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina and Chelsea captain John Terry left both men down. Terry was carded and will miss the next leg. It may have been a 50-50 ball, but big time contact after Reina had possession led to the rightful caution.

Ivanovic headed home yet another corner giving Chelsea the lead 2-1. Gerrard was the nearest defender to Ivanovic, but in no way challenged him from leaping to an easy header for his double. This 62^nd minute strike was yet again from a Lampard corner

In the 67^th minute Drogba finally came through with the goal that has had his name on it all match. Ballack slid Malouda through on the wing where he beat Skrtel and slid a ball across the mouth of the goal for the hungry Drogba, who beat Carragher and Aurelio to it, smashing home his fourth goal in his four previous Champions League matches and more importantly the third away goal of this crucial match.

The Blues impressed in the second half and proved that they were the better side on the pitch on this night. The 3-1 result was a product of the Liverpool mess in the back. The Reds left a lot to be desired in the marking department, as Chelsea frontmen were given acres and acres of space. Poor set piece defending, and lack of midfield strength also were the downfall to the home side. Mascherano was clearly missed dearly as Michael Essien proved to be the bully in the midfield that prevented Liverpool from flowing through their captain. Essien completely shut down Gerrard shadowing him throughout the 90 minutes of play. Branislav Ivanovic was the hero though, heading home two crucial goals off Lampard corners.

Chelsea is smelling roses after leaving Anfeild with a 3-1 victory. It leaves the Reds with a steep mountain to climb in the second leg at Stamford Bridge. The Blues will be without captain John Terry, but it is going to take a memorable inspiring performance for Liverpool to recover from this hole. But anything is possible in the Champions League.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Ratings

 

Liverpool

 

Reina-  5.5       Could have done more to stop the first goal, but didn’t have much help                    from his defense.

 

Aurelio-  4.5   Sloppy and full of giveaways. Brought no sign of his recent sharp performances.

 

Skrtel-  4.0    Complete sloppiness in the central defense. Botched clearances, awful marking and at constant level of uneasiness. Beaten on first and third goal.

 

Carragher-  5.5   Did a nice job to clear a Drogba shot off the goal line, but failed to impress with his marking in the area.

 

Arbeloa-  6.5   The only positive contributor from the Reds defense. Provided a perfect assist to Torres on Liverpool’s early strike.

 

Riera-   5.0    Disappointing showing, rarely a factor at all. A ghost on the pitch.

 

Xabi Alonso- 5.5    Was beaten on first Ivanovic goal. Didn’t make his presence felt in the midfield. Had a late go on net that forced Cech’s best save of the night.

 

Lucas- 5.0   Several mistouches and barely any positive production.

 

Kuyt- 6.5    Hustled as usual and a brilliant backheal into space created Liverpool’s strike.

 

Gerrard- 5.5   The captain was a disappointment. Let Essien muscle and hustle him out of the match. Failed to provide the Reds with his normal services and playmaking ability.

 

Torres- 6.75  Not his best showing but he did score and was barely served with an effective ball in the area.

 

Substitutes-

 

Benayoun-

Dossena-

Babel-

 

 

 

Chelsea

 

Cech- 6.5     Sharp late match save on Xavi Alonso, basically only moment he was challenged all night.

Cole- 5.5    The wing defender had an average match. Did a solid job on Kuyt, but didn’t bring his usual presence in the attack.

Alex- 7.0    Solid at back, the Brazilian was strong and shielded off many half chances from actually being created.

Terry- 5.5    Not the captain’s best showing. Was beaten a few times in dangerous areas and was cautioned for a harsh collision with the Liverpool keeper. Will miss the 2^nd leg.

Ivanovic- 8.0  The man of the match, headed home two critical goals. In addition was solid at back and proved himself at the highest level of club futbol competition.

Essien- 7.5   The midfielder completely shackled down the Liverpool captain. Did the dirty work for the Blues, and if it wasn’t for the brilliant showing by Ivanovic would definitely have been the man of the match.

Ballack- 7.0   The German had a strong showing in the midfield. His sharp international performance last week managed to carry over to this match, as he supplied multiple dangerous balls leading to great scoring opportunities. The most recognized one being the ball that sent Malouda through who assisted on the third and clinching Chelsea goal.

Lampard- 6.5   His two corners were played well for Ivanovic’s two goals. Solid job of linking up to Chelsea’s attackers.

Malouda- 6.5   Assisted on the clinching third goal with a precise cross to Drogba.

Kalou- 6.5   Strong on the ball and did well to take some defensive attention off of Drogba.

Drogba-  6.75   A constant threat as usual up front for the Blues. Missed numerous chances early on, but made up for it all with the clinching goal in the second half.

 

Substitutes-

 

Anelka-

 

Man of The Match- Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea

~ by pete1020 on April 8, 2009.