Champions League: Liverpool vs Chelsea For the forth time in a row Liverpool and Chelsea meet in the Champions League and for the third time in the last four seasons they will decide the finalist of European elite competition. Liverpool had more success in the previous duels, and it would be no surprise if the similar thing happens this year.
Rafa Benitez – Champions League coach
If Abramovich wishes to lift the Champions League trophy, he should think about hiring Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard is an excellent tactician which was fully realised in Champions League knock-out stage where his team is simply impossible to beat. Improved catenaccio, with Torres' magic and Gerrard's lead as well as with incredible support at Anfield are mostly enough for outmatching their rivals. This season Liverpool already managed to beat two big rivals (Inter and Arsenal) and they earned their place in the semifinals.
Unfortunately for Reds and Benitez, Premier League is not the competition where it is enough to remain unbeaten. The tactics that brings success to Liverpool in the cup is not good enough for Premiership which is their biggest problem. Precisely the Premier League results are the thing that increases pressure on Benitez and the players. Milan and Juventus are already interested in Torres, practically the only great player Rafa brought in the club, and unless Liverpool start marking results in the most important competition, talented Spaniard could move to Italy. Gerrard is certainly not satisfied with the fact that he will very likely end the season without the Premiership title. Liverpool’s biggest problem could be the dissatisfaction of the stars in the squad, especially if they don’t mark a favourable result in the first leg.
Gerrard got a minor injury, but Rafa will certainly include him in the starting eleven. He rested all the important players in the match against Fulham, so they will certainly be ready fight Chelsea.
Grant seems like he doesn’t know what he is doing
Avram Grant’s arrival on the head of Chelsea is probably the biggest blow to coaching profession in history. The man who without any significant achievements, got the chance to lead the most expensive club on the planet only thanks to his friendship with the owner of the club is a real picture of the course where football might head with new rich owners form Russia, Korea and USA. Still even besides Grant’s lead, Chelsea remain in the race on two competitions, first of all thanks to the individual quality of the players.
The matches against Liverpool are chances for Abramovich to reach Champions League finals. Chelsea would play the finals practically on home ground in Moscow and the only problem is Liverpool in their way. Benitez managed to outsmart even Mourinho, so it would simply be incredible for Grant to win. Chelsea boss tried to start up a psychological war with Benitez by stating that he is interested in buying Gerrard, once again showing that he has no understanding of football, or England, let alone English.
The biggest problem for Chelsea in the first leg, besides incredible atmosphere at Anfield will be Essien’s absence. Lampard is back in the team, but precisely Ghana international is the most important player in the squad who is the base of the midfield. Without him, Chelsea will lack firmness, precisely the thing Liverpool are best at. Unless Obi, Lampard, Ballack, Cole and Malouda don't set the domination in the midfield, which is not likely to happen, Chelsea could have major problems.
Betting Verdict
We think that it is clearer now why we will trust our money with Liverpool. Their play, simply have the system that Chelsea don’t have. Benitez, in spite of all his flaws, is the coach that has experience in the Champions League, who knows how to play for the score. Anfield will certainly be one of the factor favouring Reds as well as Essien’s absence. We shouldn’t forget that Liverpool have gone a long time unbeaten at Anfield when it comes to euro competitions (if we forget the Gerets episode), so we expect them to at worst case scenario, draw. The only problem could be Gerrard’s absence, though it is not likely that the captain will miss the most important match of the season
Our tip: Bet 8 on Home win (asian handicap -0.25)
Odds 2 at
Bookmaker: Gamebookers
|
