I suppose that, when examining a fixture of such perennial importance, it is always worth taking a look at the factors that make it a contest of such gravity. For any Chelsea fan, that’s a simple thing to do. Liverpool vs Chelsea is a fixture that has cropped in so many competitions and under so many guises and, more often than not, we’ve come out on top. Some may point to last season and that day at Anfield. In front of the Kop. Steven Gerrard. But no. I wouldn’t stoop so low. Indeed, I was referencing any one of our Champions League clashes, games that have produced some spectacular football and great goals to boot. In fact, last season was so far from my mind when writing this article. The last time I wrote something about Liverpool, it caused a lot of animosity from those who patrol the red corner of Vital Football. So, Willian’s goal to seal the 2-0 victory won’t be mentioned.
As some may have noticed, or not as the case may be, I’ve been on a little break from VC and its wonderful fraternity. I’ve watched and I’ve waited and I’ve been self-indulgent in writing like this. However, I had to break the sabbatical for this game. For whatever reason, this fixture holds some obscure importance to me. Memory lane is such a bitter place sometimes [Just ask Steven Gerrard] and Liverpool, at least until May 2012, represented what we couldn’t have. That elusive Champions League title really used to get to me but, like all things that are meant to be, Chelsea triumphed in Bavaria. So I’d hate for any Liverpool fans to think I’m bitter about your club stopping my club winning a trophy they’ve never won before. Because that’s over now. I think we can move on.
Nonetheless, this article does carry some substance 500 words in. Liverpool, by the illustrious standards they set themselves last year, are in something of a rut. Sitting in 7th place, they’ve won only four times in the League and look a little stretched for motivation. But, if you will, hear this. My analogy is simple; imagine a lion, a lion that was strong and proud. It was on the hunt, hurtling towards unconditional victory. However, it falls foul to a rogue blow from a hunter on the savannah plains. Stumbling, lost for any sense of purpose in life, it finds its way to a more secluded hiding place. Over the coming weeks, it takes a few beatings. Offensively, it just isn’t the same creature it was [some say its bite has gone] while, no matter where it tries to run to, it just doesn’t have the resources or awareness to properly defend itself. However, [I know there’s a lot of brain-work needed, bare with me] imagine that it spots that very same hunter that shot it when it was the leader of a pride, destined for greatness. How do you think it would react?
See what I’m getting at. Admittedly, it’s a long and convoluted style of argument but Liverpool/wounded lion will be up for Saturday. You can be sure that Balotelli will have a blinder, Mignolet will resemble a goalkeeper and Steven Gerrard will be wearing specially designed, grip sturdy boots.
I read an article on here the other day about complacency against Maribor. Well, that proved to be eerily accurate and I’m worried about the right Chelsea turning up tomorrow. When all is said and done, Chelsea are the better team. Study it with red tinted spectacles all you want, its the truth. If we play properly with none of this bloody ‘let’s stroke the ball around the halfway line for 65 minutes’, I think we will do a number on them.
Reading Mourinho’s pre-match conference, it’s vintage stuff. Quoting from his presser, he says that ‘[The Steven Gerrard slip] gave the title to Man City… I think Liverpool have to think about this season. I think they have enough motivationI think if I was in that position I would go back to last season for the good memories, all the great matches they played.’
Is that a subtle dig from the Special One? The point is, we’re all looking ahead to tomorrow. No ifs. No buts. No regrets. No Premier League titl- Oh. My bad.
Up the Blues!
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