It is a day that no Chelsea supporter will ever forget, a game in which the future of our club was decided.
It was the 11th of May 2003, before the time of foreign mega stars and Russian Rubles, and our club was suffering under massive levels of debt.
The situation was simple, a win would see us achieve Champions League qualification, earning vital revenue to ensure our club would not become the next Leeds United.
We were facing the giants from up north, as Liverpool came to the bridge seeking the same thing as we were, a spot in Europe’s top cup competition, and with the majority of neutrals predicting a Liverpool victory the odds were stacked against us.
In a defining moment of our clubs great history, we came from behind to win the game 2-1, with goals from Marcel Desailly and Jesper Gronkjaer. We had achieved a massive feat and the Fulham Road faithful erupted at the final whistle.
Frank was at the time an up and coming player, and he remembers the game as a crucial one in his football career.
‘We weren`t challenging for the League back then, we were looking to break into the top four if we could So that Liverpool game sticks out as one of the very best because of the desperation of the club at the time.
‘It was at rock bottom and threatening to go under. But we won the game, which kept us alive, so that`s right up there with the very best of feelings and achievements.
‘Especially when you see the direction other teams went in similar circumstances. Leeds is a prime example where a great club crashed and that looked like it was possible for us.
‘We were aware of that at the time, that the club could have gone a different way. And I think, if it had, they might have sold me.That`s what I heard from Trevor Birch, who was chief executive at the time.’
Frank believes that our trip to Anfield is also an important one, and that the team on the loosing side will be effectively out of the title race.
‘It is imperative that we don`t lose but try to win the game to keep pace with United, especially having just had the boost of winning a few games and going above Liverpool in the league.
‘But it will be very hard. Liverpool are a team that can put on a performance at any time, a team that can beat anyone. I have played against them enough to know that the games between us are normally tight.
‘They are a clever team, a very strong team and they play very good football, but their game is based on their discipline.
‘It starts with a strong back four that defend very well. In front there are the two holding midfield players and, obviously, up front there is the threat of Torres and Gerrard in particular.’
Despite this, Frank believes that we have a strong chance of winning the match, with Liverpool suffering a poor run of form.
‘But it might be a good time to play them because they`ve dropped a few points lately. Having been a few points clear at the top they now find themselves down in third.
‘No one is going to go on a winning run right to the finish, it`s not that sort of league any more. So it`s all about how you respond when you have a slip-up.’
With confidence in our camp, and Liverpool suffering big problems at the top concerning the future of there manager, it seems the perfect time to head up there and snatch all three points.
Carefree!
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