Chelsea take on Liverpool in a Champions League Group G match that should have been eagerly anticipated. Instead it could be one big damp squib.
Vital Quotes:
‘This club is different from any club I’ve been at before. It is really the highest level. Chelsea are rigorous and meticulous, but we do not have a star system. We play as one, as a team, for one of the greatest clubs in the world’ – Didier Drogba tells the world what we Chelsea supporters have always known.
‘Madrid are a fantastic team, but I have a focus here at Liverpool. I have a lot of respect for other clubs, but I’m sorry, I would prefer to talk about Chelsea and our game’ – Rafael Benitez mulls over the prospects of another year at Anfield compared to a dream job at Real Madrid, or is he tempted by either the Portsmouth or Kettering challenges.
Chelsea Team News:
Chelsea enter the fixture with only Claude Makelele and Hernan Crespo as injury doubts. Makelele will not play as his knee injury, susytained at home to Newcastle, is still troublesome whilst Crespo will probably concentrate his efforts on getting fit for the vital Premiership fixture against Wigan Athletic this forthcoming Saturday.
With the fixture not meaning anything, apart from who tops the group, Mourinho may be tempted to make subtle changes to his squad. Based on past judgement calls, it is very likely that Paulo Ferriera will return to the defence with William Gallas switching flanks. Mourinho has previously stated that Asier Del Horno isn’t used to playing in competitive midweek games during his career in Spain.
Elsewhere, Arjen Robben is likely to start for the second match in succession as the Dutchman seeks to get his season underway and continue to provide the thrills that were so evident in his play against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
With seven substitutes being allowed to be named, don’t be surprised if Petr Cech is named as one of them. Mourinho may give Carlo Cudicini a start in Europe’s Premier competition. Also, as the game progresses and if Chelsea are in a prominent position, don’t be surprised if Lassana Diarra and Carlton Cole are introduced with twenty minutes to go to give them valuable European experience.
Player to watch: Arjen Robben
The Dutch winger received a lot of flak last season despite entering the fray at Anfield not being 100% fit. If selected, expect Arjen to show us the array of skills he can produce as he skips past defenders almost at will. On Chelsea TV this week Arjen stated that he is feeling the best he has done for ages and when he gets a little more power in his legs he’ll be on top form. Something tells me that Liverpool could be on the receiving end of a display that’ll propel Arjen back into the headlines.
Liverpool Team News:
Rafel Benitez, along with Jose Mourinho, has already suggested that earning three points in the next Premiership game is more important than winning this particular fixture. The Spaniard has also indicated that he is prepared to rest players as Liverpool prepare to embark on a meaningless fixture in Japan. The likes of Peter Crouch, Xabi Alonso, Jose Reina and even Steven Gerrard may be absent tonight as Benitez attempts to keep his squad fresh.
Player to watch: Jamie Carragher
An unsung hero who, thanks to his performances last season, finally got the international recognition he deserves. A versatile player who could perform admirably in any position along the back line.
Match Facts & Stats
Chelsea have failed to score in the three previous Champions League meetings with Liverpool whilst Liverpool have only that dodgy goal at Anfield to remember. Group G has the second lowest number of goals scored in the Champions League so a goal feast can probably be ruled out.
Match Prediction:
Chelsea seem to be treating this game with more respect than Liverpool who clearly are pre-occupied with their climb up the Premiership and a forthcoming meaningless World Club game in Japan. Expect Liverpool to be content to defend resolutely and attack on the break whilst Chelsea will go through the gears and triumph 2-0 to top the group.
Next Fixtures:
Chelsea entertain Wigan Athletic in the Premiership whilst Liverpool travel to Middlesbrough this forthcoming Saturday.