Familiarity breeds contempt. It certainly does in the case of Chelsea and Liverpool. It’s the new Man Utd/Arsenal rivalry without the goals. What’s needed is a resounding win to put this ridiculous “standoff” to an end (the high-pitched whining emanating from the Anfield area will never cease, whatever the outcome).
Team news is that Asier Del Horno is available for selection after coming through 45 minutes of a reserve game against Norwich, while John Terry and William Gallas have recovered from minor knocks picked up against today’s opponents during the midweek Champions League encounter. Hernan Crespo could replace Didier Drogba up front.
Prediction: Much of the same. Liverpool will persist with the Wimbledon-like tactics of launching long balls towards Peter Crouch’s head in the hope of giving their toothless attack an advantage. We’ll probably show a little more desire to put the Reds to the sword, although a draw is not a bad result so don’t expect an all-out Blue attack. 1-0 (hopefully scored by Joe Cole, who surely deserves a chance to repeat the Liverpool-beating heroics of last season), thus ending any bizarre hope Liverpool had of winning the Premiership.
Related links:
- Benitez threatens Mourinho empire but both generals refuse orders to advance
- Up-and-at-’em Gerrard gives Chelsea a warning
- Facts condemn Liverpool like it or lump it, says Mourinho
- Benitez picks faults with Chelsea
- Jose wails as the long-ball gibe is given short shrift
- Liverpool must win to keep the Premiership alive
Liverpool 1 – 4 Chelsea · Update
I’ve not got as much pleasure from a Chelsea win for many a month. It was a performance to highlight just how mediocre Liverpool really are. No doubt Jamie Carragher et al will find something to whinge and whine about.
See Lampard, Duff, Joe Cole and Geremi’s goals here (downloadable zip files) or watch them online here.
Match Reports: BBC Sport; Sky Sports; Sporting Life; ESPNStar; Official Chelsea FC Website; ESPNSoccernet; Daily Telegraph; The Times; The Independent; The Guardian.
Related links:
- Mourinho turns on Chelsea critics
- Reaction: Jose – “We are in front and they have to chase us”
- Ridicule of Chelsea is based on jealousy
- Mourinho demands ‘respect’
- Rampant Chelsea in league of their own
- Drogba stands tall as Crouch rues Liverpool’s lack of ground control
- Mourinho demands respect for Chelsea’s storming of Anfield
- Respect is due
- Chelsea critics ‘crazy’ – Hansen
- Anfield fans inquiry
- Chelsea’s statement of intent
- Players turn air blue as Chelsea stay on course
- History is against Chelsea running away with the title
