Chelsea vs Liverpool Match Report

Chelsea vs Liverpool Match Report

It’s a brave effort from Liverpool but in the end they fell just short in a highly entertaining game at Stamford Bridge.

 

I doubt I was the only Liverpool fan fearing the worst as we were drawn against high flying Chelsea for the league cup semi - final. While the Reds were knocked out we went out with a fight not a whimper. There have been many disappointments this season but this should not be classed as one of them.

 

Throughout the tie Liverpool looked like they were an out and out goal scorer away from clinching victory. The attacking players looked quick and sharp, Philippe Coutinho in particular stood out for me as a player who performed extremely well. Even at the back we didn’t look too shaky, the defence held out firmly at the Bridge for the whole first 90 minutes.

 

Things could have been very different however if the referee had spotted Diego Costa’s stamp on Liverpool defender Emre Can early in the first half. There appeared to be clear intent in Costa’s stamp and he was lucky the referee did not see the incident.

 

Maybe justice was served when Martin Skrtel bought down Costa in the box with a rash challenge but the referee chose not to give a penalty to the Chelsea striker.

 

Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois then produced two fine saves to deny Liverpool the lead, firstly from Alberto Moreno and then even better from left footed shot from Coutinho from the edge of the box after dancing through the Chelsea midfield. Courtois however made a fine stop with his leg.

 

The second half was vastly different from the first with Chelsea creating the better opportunities. For once Liverpool keeper Mingolet looked in good form as he made a string of good saves, including an excellent save from a shot that took a huge deflection off Martin Skrtel and a goal saving tackle to deny Diego Costa. There were no goals in normal time so the game moved to extra time, with away goals only counting after the additional 30 minutes.

 

Chelsea won a free kick from a Lucas foul after substitute Mario Bolotelli gave away the ball away. The ball in was subsequently headed in by Chelseas’s right back, Ivanovic from close range. Liverpool’s marking was non-existent and he was unchallenged.

 

This however didn’t change anything as Liverpool still had to score one goal. Chelsea did a good job of controlling the game after they went one up. Liverpool however had one great chance when Raheem Sterling squeezed in a great cross. Unfortunately Jordan Henderson headed wide.

 

While losing is disappointing Liverpool should take great heart in their performance across the semi - final. They will have to look to the F.A cupe to send Steven Gerrard to Wembley but can take confidence from pushing one of the best teams in Europe to the very end. They play their next game at home to West Ham in the league on Saturday.