CL: Liverpool v Chelsea

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba all took part in training yesterday. The trio of key Chelsea players gave Avram Grant a timely boost by joining in at the club's Cobham base and all three are expected to be included in the squad that travels to Merseyside today.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Steven Gerrard faces a bizarre fitness test ahead of tomorrow's Champions League semi against Chelsea.

If Gerrard can turn round instantly and look at his boss when manager Rafa Benitez taps him on the back he will be picked. If not, he is out.

Benitez said: "It's an easy way to find out."

[hanuma]

I have a feeling that this game will be standard Chelsea Liverpool fare....but the SB leg will be nucking futs. Because of our Utd game between the two legs I think Liverpool have the advantage again and Torres is a far superior threat to anything we've had to face before. But we can do it, as long as it doesn't go to penalties again.

[NJ10]

Its really tough to call. I have a sneaky fancy for us in the first leg tomorrow, I can see us getting a 2-0, although that is just one of the ten million "hunches" i tend to get before every game!

Not sure how to view the whole "first leg at home" situation, on one hand if we have to go to the Bridge and score it might be tough, but at the same time if Chelsea also have to score in the second leg then we possibly have an advantage due to the away goals rule.

I think it might be a better game than the previous two, purely because Liverpool arguably have to go for it at Anfield (we have never scored at SB under RB), whilst Chelsea will definitely be going all guns blazing to avoid another near miss.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Steven Gerrard is fit to play. If Chelsea scores tonight then it's game over for Liverpool. It seems they are not able to score on Stamford Bridge. I predict a 1-1 draw.

[NJ10]

We havent played at Stamford Bridge with Torres in the side yet, so it isnt game over if Chelsea score. We havent scored in the past few seasons at the Bridge, but that was with Baros, Crouch or Kuyt leading the line. Torres is a different animal altogether.

[hanuma]

Originally Posted by NJ10

Its really tough to call. I have a sneaky fancy for us in the first leg tomorrow, I can see us getting a 2-0, although that is just one of the ten million "hunches" i tend to get before every game!.

That's like saying you'll thrash us and the tie will be over before it's begun, in relative terms.

The last time you beat us like that we had half our team missing.

It's set pieces that worry me more than Torres though, we have got better at defending them in recent games but we were truly abysmal not so long ago.

[NJ10]

Originally Posted by hanuma

That's like saying you'll thrash us and the tie will be over before it's begun, in relative terms.

The last time you beat us like that we had half our team missing.

As i say, that is just one hunch that I have been having lately. It bears no real significance, as i had the "hunch" that we would win at Old Trafford, and the Emirates as well.

As an aside, it will be interesting (for me anyway) to see how Babel does tonight if he starts. It looks like he will be up against Paulo Ferreira, who is less likely to get caught upfield than say Belletti, and Babel has sometimes struggled when marked tightly by a full back, he prefers the space to attack.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I just hope Liverpool gets a result which makes the second leg interesting. If Chelsea wins on Anfield or get a draw with away goals then I don't see any chance for Liverpool.

[hanuma]

Originally Posted by NJ10

As i say, that is just one hunch that I have been having lately. It bears no real significance, as i had the "hunch" that we would win at Old Trafford, and the Emirates as well.

As an aside, it will be interesting (for me anyway) to see how Babel does tonight if he starts. It looks like he will be up against Paulo Ferreira, who is less likely to get caught upfield than say Belletti, and Babel has sometimes struggled when marked tightly by a full back, he prefers the space to attack.

He's the sort of player we normally give just enough rope to to hang themselves with.

[RunX]

i think chelsea will draw today .. 0-0 or 1-1 ...
if 1-1 its hard for liverpool to back on stamford bridge ...
hard match ... hard match ..
liverpool way to 1/2 was very hard chelsea noo...
the chance plays with liverpoool ! :P and u all know that ...
chelsea maybe for the 1st final on thier lifes
ballack RuLeZ

[bandini]

damn this is gonna be a hell of a game. Grant has shown weakness when he has to make strong tactical changes so maybe Liverpool can mount some early pressure and put him under fire. I'm excited about this one.

[hk_on99]

The balance of this match lies in the defence in my opinion. I don't see Gerrard and Torres causing much problems with Terry, Carvalho and Cech in the back. Moreover, if Makelele starts in midfield, the attacking threat of Torres and Gerrard will be nullified. I can't say the same about Liverpool's defence, although the Chelsea attack is a shambles.

[Poldi]

Yeah, it will be very hard match but I am playing 1, Liverpool cant lose on Anfield against Chelsea in the CL!

[Olzy]

Drogba should of had a free kick a min ago.

Torres had an excellent chance