Liverpool v Chelsea Live
Like most recent match days past, we will be providing live updates from today’s action. Check back at 11:30 am Pacific time for the opening kick-off and stay with us through the final whistle.
Liverpool advanced through to the semi’s with a 5-3 win on aggregate goals against fellow EPL side Arsenal. In the first match Liverpool came away with a 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium and went home with an all important away goal. The second leg provided much more excitement as Emmanuel Adebayor tied the match in the 84′ minute that would have put Arsenal through with a 2-1 away goal differential. Then a questionable call just a minute later led to a penalty kick from Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard who had no problem beating the keeper to put his side ahead for good. Down one goal Arsenal gave all it could and sent a huge push forward which left the defense vulnerable and let Liverpool’s Ryan Babel, the man who drew the PK, get in behind the defense for a one on one chance with Spanish goalie Manuel Almunia who had very little chance to save the day. Babel’s 90th minute goal proved to be the dagger for Liverpool as they went on to win 4-2.
Chelsea had an easier time in the second leg of their match up against Fenerbache but not with out any nervous moments. In the first leg the powerful English side went up 1-0 on an own goal by Fererbache’s Deivid in the 13th minute. However by the end of that match both Fenerbache and Deivid would make up that one goal beating the Blues 2-1. Colin Kazim-Richards and Deivid each scored a goal in the hard fought second half. Heading home down 1 goal Chelsea needed to pitch a shutout as well as get at least one goal for themselves. Back at Stamford Bridge the home side came out knowing what needed to be done, and did it. German striker Michael Ballack put Chelsea up 1-0 in the 4th minute, which tied the teams 2-2 on aggregate but still left Chelsea with the advantage thanks to the away goal from the first leg. Fenerbache fought hard but in the end the Blues proved too much with Frank Lampard netting one in the 87th minute to seal the deal.
Now the English Premier league once again has a chance to put two teams into the final of the UEFA Champions League, with the Liverpool - Chelsea semi-final sure to send at least one through. Who will it be? The Reds from Anfield or the Blues from west London?
