The Teams: Chelsea, as expected, made just one change from the side that triumphed 3-1 up at Anfield in the first-leg last week. Ricardo Carvalho returned to the heart of defence in place of the suspended John Terry.
For the visitors, there was no Steven Gerrard, who was deemed not even fit enough to make the bench. Javier Mascherano replaced him in midfield, after being suspended for the first-leg. Elsewhere, Yossi Benayoun came in for Albert Riera.
First Half: Chelsea started the game with a very lacklustre attitude, seemingly stuck between taking the game to Liverpool and sitting back on their lead. The visitors took advantage of this hesistancy, and grabbed control of the game early on.
After 13 minutes, Fernando Torres fired a warning shot; a delightful move resulting in his left-footed effort, which narrowly missed the post. Up the other end, Frank Lampard’s dipping free-kick was far wide either, although it was Liverpool who were controlling possession and dominating proceedings.
The deadlock was broken after just 19 minutes, when Liverpool were awarded a free-kick for what appeared to be absolutely nothing. Nevertheless, Petr Cech was left stranded as he anticipated a floated ball into the box, and instead Fabio Aurelio caught him out with a whipped shot into the near post. Chelsea’s No.1 was embarrased as the ball skidded in. Liverpool had hope.
Chelsea, meanwhile, seemed deflated, and nine minutes later, Liverpool had their second. A free-kick from a similar position to the earlier one was drifted into the danger zone, only for the referee to award a penalty for pushing by Branislav Ivanovic on Xabi Alonso. Ivanovic was booked, whilst Alonso stepped up, sent the keeper the wrong way, and smashed home to put this game firmly back in the balance.
Chelsea were starting down the barrel of one of the most embarrasing collapses in recent memory, and their nerves were clearly getting the better of them as they failed to string even a few passes together, let alone provide any attacking threat.
After 35 minutes, Guus Hiddink felt the need to make a change, replacing the ineffective Salomon Kalou with Nicolas Anelka.
However, the substitution did little to change the tide of pressure, and Chelsea were relieved to hear the half-time whistle. It couldn’t have come at a better time for the Blues.
Second Half: The Chelsea players reappeared on the field five minutes early, which indicated everything you needed to know about Hiddink’s half-time talk. Clearly buoyed by their rollicking, the home side started the second period with a renewed sense of belief.
And, after just seven minutes, Chelsea had clawed one back. Anelka did well down the right, exchanging passes with the midfield and then beating the full-back to deliver a whipped ball into the six-yard box, which got the slighest of touches from Didier Drogba. However, that slight touch was enough to wrong-foot Pepe Reina, who could do no more than palm the ball into his own net.
Chelsea had restored their belief, and five minutes later they levelled the scores on the night. Firstly, Drogba had a free-kick effort which missed the upright by inches, and then Alex thumped a free-kick effort of his own, which Reina had no chance with.
Chelsea were now back in the driving seat, with Liverpool needing two more goals to go through. Michael Ballack had a chance to grab a third, after good work from Drogba down the right, but tamely hit his shot straight at Reina.
On 76 minutes, it appeared that the tie had been put to bed. More great work from Drogba, this time powering through down the left, set up Lampard, who could hardly miss from close-range. Chelsea were 3-2 up on the night, and 6-3 ahead on aggregate. Liverpool needed 5.
And yet still Chelsea tried to throw it all away. Lucas pulled one back after 81 minutes, after his effort deflected off Michael Essien and beat Cech. Then Dirk Kuyt bulleted a header past the goalkeeper, after a great delivery from substitute Albert Riera.
From such a commanding position, Chelsea had let their visitors back into the game again, and Liverpool only needed one more to book their own place in the last four.
However, the final goal of a thrilling encounter went to the Blues; Lampard’s strike from the edge of the penalty area hitting both posts before nestling in the back of the net.
Choruses of ‘We’re Going To Rome’ echoed around the Bridge from the home supporters at the end. Well, that might be the case. But there’s the small matter of Barcelona to contend with first. Remember them?
Verdict
After one of the most thrilling and entertaining Champions League games of recent memory, Chelsea were the ones booking their trip to Barcelona.
Credit must be given to Liverpool for playing their part in a fascinating tie, however Chelsea’s mission to avenge that fateful, rainy night in Moscow last May continues.
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