THE question on the lips of most football fans by now is if Liverpool can mount another legendary comeback against Chelsea in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge tomorrow morning.
Bearing in mind Liverpool’s poor record against Chelsea (they have never scored more than two goals against the Blues in recent seasons), and the fact that Chelsea are playing at home, there is still widespread optimism that Liverpool can overcome these extraordinary circumstances to advance to the semi-finals.
But who can fault the optimism? After all, several factors do work in Liverpool’s favour – the Miracle of Istanbul, the memory of Hillsborough, and – not least – the fact that Chelsea conceded three goals in eight minutes against Bolton over the weekend.
If you were Rafa Benitez, what would be your line-up and strategy to beat Chelsea by three goals?
Or if you prefer to in Guus Hiddink’s shoes: what would be your strategy to shackle Liverpool, bearing in mind that Liverpool will probably find ways to circumvent Michael Essien’s shackling of Steven Gerrard?
WELCOME TO THE POSTMAN'S NEIGHBOURHOOD 
If I were Hiddink, I would surprise Rafa – by not changing my tactics at all and going all out.
Obviously defending a two-away-goal advantage is a tantalising prospect, and many people would expect Liverpool to go for the jugular and Chelsea to defend.
So spring a tactical surprise, Hiddink. Attack.
Comment by sgmourinho — April 14, 2009 @ 1:38 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if Hiddink played Drogba as the lone striker, with Kalou and Malouda on either flanks for support.
This time, I would deploy 2 men to man-mark/zonal mark Gerrard, possibly Mikel and Essien.
Bearing in mind that Liverpool has to score 3 to win the match, a conservative approach by Chelsea would suffice for qualification. But upon saying that, it would be dangerous to invite Liverpool to attack.
I’m expecting yet another open game of attacking football from both sides, and may the best team over two legs qualify.
Comment by Dennis Tan — April 14, 2009 @ 3:07 pm
Liverpool to win by 0-3, 1-4 or 2-5? Go ahead. Go to Singapore Pools and bet. You won’t need to work for a year.
Now against Bolton it was 4-3. If Liverpool were to win 2-3 or 1-3, they will still go out. Hiddink should retain the line-up in the 1st leg with the difference of Carvalho instead of Alex in centre defence.
And Lampard and Drogba MUST play the whole game. No more putting in Deco who had lost the plot or Anelka who loses important possessions.
I believe Chelsea’s system should let them see pass Liverpool.
Prediction : Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1
THANK YOU ERNEST LUIS FOR PUBLISHING MY LETTER TODAY!
Qyaerus-Syahrein, 27, Chelsea fan
Comment by Alex Hart — April 14, 2009 @ 3:50 pm
Guus Hiddink is forced to change his backline with the suspension of John terry, apart from that change i would make one more change to the lineup, Mikel in for Ballack.
Chelsea deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation in the first leg, i think they should play the same way. Mikel will have more energy and would be fresh as he has been used sparingly over the past few weeks, this would also give Essien license to attack more as Mikel is a better defensive cover than Ballack. Essien is going to be key, his energy, drive and dynamic approach is very crucial for Chelsea when they counter attack, given the fact that Liverpool have to score at least 3 goals and this is going to give Chelsea more opportunities on the break.
Deepan, 23, Student, Chelsea fan.
Comment by Deepan — April 14, 2009 @ 4:19 pm
If I were Rafa:
GK: Jose Reina
DR: Dirk Kuyt
DL: Daniel Agger
DC: Jamie Carragher
DC: Martin Skrtel
DMC: Javier Mascherano
MC: Xabi Alonso
AMC: Steven Gerrard
AMR: Yossi Benayoun
AML: Albert Riera
ST: Fernando Torres
Liverpool have no choice but to go all-out attack right from the start. They must take the initiative and not let Chelsea have the ball, especially their midfield who can do alot of damages with the likes of Lamps, Ballack and Essien.
No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. I put Kuyt and Agger in the full-backs roles as I feel they would be useful. Benayoun is a clever player on-form who can find spaces behind defenders and thus I have him on the right of midfield instead of Kuyt. Kuyt is good attacking and not too shabby defending too. As Liverpool need goals, and lots of it too, a daring line-up as this is risky but definitely worth taking.
Agger showed at the weekend and in the past that he has a lethal left foot which can thump in goals from 30 yards out. With Essien busy following Gerrard around, Agger could have a clear sight on goal more often than not. Also, His physical presence will be more useful than Aurelio or Dossena during set-pieces which served Chelsea so well in the first leg.
Apart from Ashley Cole, the Chelsea’s defenders are not really fast. This is where Liverpool can take full advantage. The likes of Torres, Benayoun, Riera and Gerrard to a certain extent have pace, bundle of them in fact, so Liverpool could use Alonso’s precise passing to put balls over Chelsea’s defence for the Reds to chase. This way, they would be able to bypass Chelsea’s strongest area- Their midfield.
If I were Guus:
GK: Petr Cech
DR: Branislav Ivanovic
DL: Ashley Cole
DC: Alex
DC: Ricardo Carvalho
DMC: Michael Essien
DMC: John Obi Mikel
MC: Michael Ballack
AMC: Frank Lampard
LF: Florent Malouda
RF: Dider Drogba
The last thing Chelsea want is to concede a goal early in the match. The longer they can keep Liverpool at bay, the more nervous the Reds will become. If they can frustrate Gerrard & Co. till half-time, they can start to make hotel bookings for the trip to Barcelona.
Mikel gets my nod to start ahead of Kalou or Anelka because he would be needed in the middle of the park. With Essien shadowing Gerrard, we might come to a situation where Gerrard deliberately draws Essien away from the centre and thus a big hole will occur for the likes of Alonso and Mascherano to exploit.
Mikel can cover for Essien and Chelsea will not be overly-exposed. Malouda has been in better form than Kalou, thus I would put him alongside Drogba. I would also ask Chelsea to drop deep because I know Alex and Carvalho will be no match for Torres when sprinting for the ball.
Last but not least, I would throw all the big guys forward during set-pieces to take full advantage of Liverpool’s comical zonal-marking system.
Comment by Loh Shengli, 24, Man United — April 14, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
If Liverpool are to go all out to overturn the deficit against Chelsea tonite and further risk aggravating Gerrard’s injury or getting some players hurt, then they must be crazy. Chelsea are not that naive to sit back and allow Liverpool to come at them. In any case, with an all out approach, Liverpool are going to get hit on the counterattack.
Please can someone not remaind them about the night in Istanbul. Seriously, that was just a fluke which even Benitez could not have in his wildest dreams envisaged the ending. Wake up to reality! Why not preserve and go for Premier League title instead, where they have never been so close before. Man U is slowly but surely faltering.
If Liverpool’s fans are expecting Chelsea to be beaten by a three goals margin, with Guus Hiddink at the helm, better place your money in your team winning the Premier League title which i think they will. I have some money on them winning too and i am an Everton fan.
Comment by Charles Cheng — April 14, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
Liverpool have no choice but to attack from the start. It will not be easy to overcome a 2 goal deficit at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have a remarkable record at their fortress and their weekend errors will be an effective wakeup call for the team.
Liverpool’s Formation:
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Skrtel Agger
Mascherano Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Reira
Torres
Benitez will have to ensure that they have control over the midfield. Gerrard must be given space to work his magic if the Reds are to have any chance of qualifying. Despite grabbing a goal in the last match, Agger’s defensive performance was woeful. While Blackburn hardly threatened, Agger failed to deal with it when they did. Liverpool might just have conceded had Blackburn taken a more offensive stance. Although Liverpool needs to focus on attack, they cannot afford to concede either. Therefore, Benitez need to have Carragher and Skrtel lead the backline. After all, they are the most reliable defenders at his disposal.
Chelsea’s Formation:
Cech
Ivanonic Terry Carvalho Cole
Ballack Essien Lampard
Kalou Drogba
Malouda
Hiddink should just field the same formation as last week with Carvalho replacing Alex. The team has defeated Liverpool once, and there is no reason why they cannot do it again. Knowing that Liverpool will be going for their throat from the start, Chelsea should look for chances to counter attack. With the Liverpool players pouring forward, there are bound to be gaps at the back which Chelsea can exploit. However, the Blues must ensure that they do not commit the same mistakes as against Bolton. Hiddink will do well to learn that any compliancy will be punished.
Comment by Suen Chun Lung — April 14, 2009 @ 5:43 pm
I cannot help but feel that all these optimism has been stirred up merely by the media. Yes Chelsea has conceded three goals against Bolton and yes Liverpool has a record of overcoming large deficits with images of Istanbul coming into mind. However, a defensively solid team like Chelsea does not turn into a defensively weak team overnight. You can bet your life savings Carvalho and co. will fight tooth and nail for their ticket into the Champion’s League Semi-finals.
In Guus Hiddink Chelsea has a master tactician who has led teams like Russia and South Korea to defeat their more illustrious opponents. He knows how to close out a game like this. The most important thing would be to completely shut Liverpool’s talismanic captain Steven Gerard and I believe Essien is up to this daunting task. If I were Hiddink, I would simply crowd the middle of the park to deny Liverpool any time and space. I would then instruct my players to adopt the soak-and-strike strategy that Chelsea so famously perfected the previous seasons. No need for pretty flowing football just hard and effective football. With Drogba on fire the past few matches, it would be fine for him to be a lone striker up front. His presence and hold up play should be able to keep Carragher busy for the night. Patience and decisiveness would be key in this match to ensure victory especially for Chelsea since Liverpool has no choice but to attack.
Nevertheless, let’s not forget that the last time Chelsea conceded three goals was against Manchester United in January after which they went on a four-match winning spree. However, their run of fine form was stopped abruptly by, you guessed it, Liverpool.
Comment by Stefanus Ian, 18, Manchester United fan — April 14, 2009 @ 7:26 pm
I think Liverpool should not risk Gerrard if he is not fully fit and concentrate on Premier League instead. It is highly unlikely that Liverpool will score 3 goals against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge when they only scored one and conceded 3 at their own Anfield.
What are the chances of scoring 3 goals at your opponent homeground when you only score 1 and conceded 3 at your own homeground ?
Cheers ~
Comment by Ng Ghim Pheng — April 14, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
This may just be too big a hurdle for Liverpool to pass. Chelsea may have conceded 3 goals at the weekend but we have to acknowledge the absence of Essien and the fact that it was an EPL game. The UCL is a different thing altogether. Chelsea has never won it and they are probably hungrier than most.
Istanbul and the recent mauling of United at Old Trafford might suggest that with Liverpool, there always is a chance. They are known for miracles. Producing the unexpected. What Liverpool need and Stamford Bridge is an early goal, just like they got at Anfield. It will possibly give Chelsea the nervy start they are dreading.
Liverpool has to go gung-ho, something, which they did at Anfield, and probably, shouldn’t have done. They have to out all guns blazing and catch Chelsea off-guard. A goal in the opening minutes would dampen the crowd and instill the belief in the Liverpool players that a revival is on the cards.
Now, we expect Essien to shackle Gerrard in central midfield. If Gerrard stops ticking, Liverpool flounders. It’s obvious. Drop Gerrard into the midfield quartet, playing alongside Mascherano. Release Riera and Benayoun on either flank. Play Babel with Torres upfront. Babel’s pace and strength should offer Chelsea threat. Essien then might be told to pull in deeper, leaving Gerrard to pull the strings from midfield
Chelsea will be aware of the threat Liverpool pose in UCL games. Hiddink knows that one goal from Chelsea will kill the tie and he will try to hit Liverpool on the counter attack. Nevertheless, he will adopt a cautious approach. I expect the same team to be fielded with the possibility of Mikel coming in for Ballack to reinforce the defense that is without Terry. The 3 goals shipped against Bolton couldn’t have come at a better time. It was a wake up call. Hiddink will ensure it doesn’t happen on Wednesday.
Liverpool faces an uphill battle. This may yet prove to be tougher than Istanbul. But then again, the cliché “the ball is round” always rings in my mind. If Liverpool could sneak an early goal then it will be “game on”!
Comment by Sunil — April 14, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
It is a possible task to score 3 goals at Stamford bridge but of cause,Liverpool have to produced their best performance of the season.I think the main problem for Liverpool is how to stop Essien from biting all over Gerrard till he lose his effectiveness and i think Benitez certainly need someone to draw Essien away from Gerrard.Perhaps the EPL may seem to be an easier option but there is no harm to try win back the tie and if we do fail,then i think Manchester Unted will be in for a tough time.
Norman NG,14,Liverpool fan
Comment by norman — April 14, 2009 @ 9:55 pm
A little off the topic from here, this is regarding the PFA award nominees. Take a little time to read the article which makes some sense.
http://www.thisisanfield.com/columnists/2009/04/pfa-awards-are-you-having-a-laugh/
Comment by Haley Harrison — April 15, 2009 @ 3:36 am
Unbelievable,4-4,a scoreline which is so rare nowadays between 2 of the biggest clubs in the world.This match was very open and i thought this was the best solution which Benitez could use as this was really a hard fought result which we could lose if we never show enough character.If Chelsea are able to keep up this type of performance then they certainly can win the UCL.
Norman Ng,14,Liverpool fan
Comment by norman — April 15, 2009 @ 4:50 am
I just woke up, saw Livescore and it’s 4-4? Frank Lampard scored twice? Hurray, Frank Lamparrddddd!
It must have been an amazing game with Liverpool taking a 0-2 lead. Liverpool fans around the world must have thought they could come back until Chelsea scored through Lampard. Chelsea wouldn’t even give a consolation 3-4 victory for Liverpool. Go Chelsea!
Qyaerus-Syahrein, 27, Chelsea fan
Comment by Alex Hart — April 15, 2009 @ 5:05 am
No doubt its one of the most interesting battle till the end for both of the English teams in UCL.
Liverpool pushed and scraped their skins to keep Istanbul’s memory alive. Chelsea, with a fine star Lampard, who keeps on denying them of it. I could never asked anything more than this. Both teams fighting. Both team killing each other with their supremacy.
But honestly Reds defeat this time didnt really make me go mad like I always do. Matter of fact, I felt Liverpool fell not from grace, but with it. They did not just play dead, roll over and let the enemy assasinate them from behind. Its just unfortunate that this time round, luck, is not on their side. But nonetheless, both teams played excellent football, with an exception to Reina of his clumsiness and diving Drogba, again.
On that note, I forgot I was talking about football. Winners don’t always win.
But on this night of denial, the Istanbul atmosphere could be felt though there’s no victory to be celebrated by Rafa’s men coz they still went down swinging.
Comment by Juana — April 15, 2009 @ 5:54 am
And on that note too, its classic Liverpool to end it with style. So kudos to the Reds for always giving their best when then need too, even when the world themselves do not think they can. THAT, is a victory to me.
Juana, 25, Liverpool fan
Comment by Juana — April 15, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
4-4. Liverpool vs Chelsea matches in the future will never be dubbed as “boring” ever again.
Down after the 1st leg but definitely not out, Liverpool tried to fight their way back. Credits to them for scoring 4 goals at Stamford Bridge, where many had predicted they couldnt even score 2.
Win or lose, Chelsea’s defence frailities were thoroughly exposed through the Liverpool goals, whereas the goals Liverpool conceded were because of Reina’s horrifying error, and the outstanding finishing from Lampard!
You’ll Never Walk Alone, indeed.
Comment by Wilson — April 15, 2009 @ 6:04 pm
While the 4-4 draw was marvellous for a neutral fan like me, I do wonder why there isn’t a topic on the PFA Player of the year nominations?
Especially so when the list is full of Man Utd players, barring Steven Gerard of Liverpool.
I mean, how could Ryan Giggs make the list? Without any offence to this great player, a PFA Legend award would be more fitting. The player of the year is awarded to a player who had a major impact in the EPL, and I don’t think Giggs had that big of an impact.
Comment by Adrian Lim — April 15, 2009 @ 8:00 pm