Chelsea v Liverpool

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Rafael Benitez is hoping for an end to the tedious reports of public fallouts with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea this Sunday with the build-up once again set to be dominated by the frosty relations between Benitez and Mourinho.

The Portuguese has rarely seen eye-to-eye with his Anfield counterpart ever since Chelsea were eliminated by Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2005.

Mourinho refused to shake hands with Benitez following Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool last April, and then again after Liverpool's Community Shield win over the Londoners in Cardiff last month.

Mourinho seemed to hint Benitez should have made the move towards him - even though years of tradition suggest the loser offers his hand to the winner as an act of sportsmanship.

Source: http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk

[kennethlindheim]

I very much doubt you will beat them.

They are superb at home and if i remember correctly it's two years since they last lost a premiership game at Stamford Bridge.

That is some record and one which i think will continue on Sunday.

[Sven]

yes two years and 4 years for mourinho.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

The pressure is on Liverpool with their anonymous opening on the season.I can only see if Liverpool shall challenge Chelsea and Man Utd they have to win on Stamford Bridge.With only draw against Sheffield United and loose against Everton is 5 points already lost.They have to win to strike back to be a challenger.When I see that Chelsea don't have lost a game on 2 years than I'm afraid Liverpool already will be out for the race.Boring

[Sven]

whats boring for you its great for us .

[Mighty T.A.L.]

The Reds came out on top in August's Community Shield, having previously overcome Chelsea in last season's FA Cup and the UEFA Champions league semi-final the year before.

However, Rafa Benitez's side have not fared so well against Chelsea in recent Premiership meetings, with The Blues winning on the last four occasions in the league.

Neither side have yet shown their best form this term, but Chelsea, apart from suffering a shock defeat at Middlesbrough, have been picking up results as ever.

Tuesday's 2-0 win over Werder Bremen marked their third victory in a row, and they will be confident of extending their five-point lead over title challengers Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Joe Cole, who has a terrific record against Liverpool, has been ruled out of the game after his knee injury flared up again.

The midfielder made a 10-minute cameo in midweek but has now been told that he will need to rest up for a couple more weeks.

Arjen Robben is on the road to full recovery from a calf injury, but Jose Mourinho must decide whether or not to risk him against Liverpool.

Chelsea's lack of width in the early stages of the campaign has been noted, so Mourinho must once again decide whether to jettison any of his four midfield players for a winger such as Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Ashley Cole's performance against Werder drew some criticism, but he is likely to keep his place ahead of Wayne Bridge.

Liverpool have only won one of their last five games in all competitions and some of Benitez's selections have been puzzling.

Steven Gerrard was left out of the starting XI for the 0-0 draw with PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday but is sure to be recalled.

Daniel Agger was preferred to Sami Hyypia in Holland and his assured display could mean he gets the nod again, while Jermaine Pennant may also keep his place on the right wing.

Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy offer lightning pace up front, but Benitez may opt to bring Peter Crouch back into the side to pose different problems for the Chelsea back line.

Source: http://home.skysports.com

[JD]

Originally Posted by SvenD

whats boring for you its great for us .

most of the chels season ticket olders I know find it pretty boring to
which is why you struggle2 fill yr small stadium despite winning back2back championships

[NJ10]

i have this down as a 1-0 away win in our work predictions league, but im being very optimistic. i think if we can come away with a point, we'll have done well. especially considering the gulf in class between the sides in the 2 league encounters last season.

i expect Rafa to play crouch and garcia as his front 2, so i wont be expecting us to take the game to them.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool deserved something from their trip to Chelsea on Sunday.

The Reds left Stamford Bridge with nothing thanks to Didier Drogba's stunning winner shortly before half time.

However, it was all the visitors after the interval following Michael Ballack's dismissal for stamping on Mohamed Sissoko.

Benitez knows his side have made a slow start to the campaign, after losing their last two Premiership games, but now wants the team to push on.
"I think we deserved more from the game," Benitez told the club's official website.

"In the first half we created clear chances through (Dirk) Kuyt and (Steven) Gerrard, but one player won the game for Chelsea with a fantastic goal.

"We started the second half creating more chances and getting into good positions.

"The push on Gerrard by (Frank) Lampard was a clear penalty, but we cannot change these things now.

"It's clear that we need more points, but it's only the beginning of the season and it's a long race. We need to get going."

Source: http://home.skysports.com

[skeeta]

Robben had an absolutely first class dive on a punt by the touch line that won a free kick relatively soon after he came on. He got the kipped back and everything, despite not having come into contact with any portion of the Liverpool player who was snookered (along with Riley and the linesman).

Liverpool cannot miss that many chances every week, can they?

[JD]

'pool had the best chances
should of won