Anfield jinx hangs over visitors
Stеven Gerrard and Frank Lampard should both play at Anfield on TuesdayThe scene could scarcely be more familiar at Anfield as Liverpool FC take on Chelsea FC in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the third time in four seasons.
Close encountersChelsea have old scores to settle after two previous 1-0 defeats at Liverpool denied them their first appearance in a UEFA Champions League final, although the five-time champions also required a penalty shoot-out to prevail after extra time last season. In six meetings between these clubs in this competition, including the group stage, only three goals have been scored and tonight's encounter is tipped to be just as tight – with Chelsea happy to reverse history by playing the first leg away from home.
Gerrard injuryLiverpool's influential captain Steven Gerrard has recovered from a neck injury, though he was missing when Rafael Benítez rested the majority of his likely starters against Chelsea as Liverpool beat Fulham FC 2-0 away in the English Premier League on Saturday. The result left them within two points of securing a fourth-place finish and UEFA Champions League football for next term. Defender Sami Hyypiä and midfielder Javier Mascherano picked up knocks at Fulham but should be fit to face Chelsea.
Simple solutionBenítez gave the simplest possible analysis of his semi-final game plan when he said Liverpool will "try to score and not concede", adding: "We have experience in Europe, so if we can get a good result here, maybe it will be easier, but we know it will be tough anyway." The manager admitted: "I don't see it being a very, very open game because they are good in defence and we are good in defence." Benítez joked that he hopes Chelsea will be distracted by their bid to regain the Premier League crown, though he doesn't think they will be.
Essien outChelsea maintained their bid to catch Manchester United FC with a 1-0 win on Merseyside against Everton FC in their last outing on Thursday, thanks to a Michael Essien goal. That put the Londoners three points behind the leaders whom they host in a potential title decider on Saturday. Ghanaian international Essien is suspended for the first leg but Frank Lampard returns to the squad after missing their last two league matches due to his mother being seriously ill. Midfielder Michael Ballack is battling to shake off a hamstring strain, as is striker Didier Drogba with a knee problem, so Chelsea manager Avram Grant has difficult decisions to make.
History beckonsGrant repeatedly spoke of Chelsea's chance to "make history" as he played down the significance of the previous semi-finals, adding: "It's very exciting. We did everything to come to this point and it was not easy. The first game we drew against Rosenborg [BK] at home, then we needed to play against Valencia [CF] away when Valencia were on top form and everybody thought that we would lose against them [Chelsea won 2-1]. We share the same desire to be in the final. It will not be easy because Liverpool, as we know, are experts in the Champions League, but I am very optimistic."
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