Liverpool vs. Chelsea
Anfield
08/05/2012
8.00pm
On Sky
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Vital Preview: Liverpool vs. Chelsea
Three days after losing the FA Cup final to Chelsea, the two sides meet again in Liverpool's last home game of the 2011/2012 season. Few players in red managed to come out of Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Wembley with their reputation enhanced after a poor showing in the opening hour left Kenny Dalglish's men with too much to do despite an improved late showing triggered by the introduction of Andy Carroll.
This penultimate Premier League fixture has become little more than an inconvenience for Liverpool who currently lie 9th but will move back above Fulham with a win. The highest finish they can hope for is 7th, currently occupied by local rivals Everton, but even that would represent an incredibly disappointing season given recent investment and the stature of such a historically successful club. Failure to improve on the current standings would equate to the club's lowest league finish since relegation back in 1954.
For 6th placed Chelsea, a win at Anfield will keep them in the hunt for a top four finish although a victory over Bayern Munich in the upcoming Champions League final will see Roberto Di Matteo's side qualify for the competition again next season regardless of their league position.
For this match the usual Standard Chartered logo on Liverpool's kit will be replaced by that of 'Seeing is Believing' - a global initiative that raises funds to tackle avoidable blindness in developing countries.
Vital Quotes:
"The players deserve a lot of credit for getting to two finals but our league form hasn't been good enough. We have been two different teams in the league and the cups this season. I said that before the gameand I haven't changed my mind. I don't know what the answer is. We need to find a better level of consistency in the league. The performances haven't been good enough." Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard speaking to Liverpoolfc.tv
"It's fantastic, it's what we live for. At times people have slated us as too old, past it or not together but as a team we come together and unite when our backs are against the wall and we've done that superbly in the last 16 or 17 games." Chelsea skipper John Terry as quoted by the BBC
Liverpool Team News:
With this game following on so closely from the cup heartache and there being little left to play for, changes are very likely. Dalglish may therefore choose to give more game time to some of the younger members of the squad such as Sebastian Coates, Martin Kelly, Jon Flanagan, Jack Robinson, Jonjo Shelvey and Raheem Sterling. After impressing and scoring as a substitute on Saturday, striker Carroll will expect to return to the starting eleven with Craig Bellamy or Stewart Downing most likely to make way. Injured midfielders Charlie Adam and especially Lucas Leiva have been sorely missed of late with understudies such as Jay Spearing and Jordan Henderson struggling to feel the void. A lack of other options in central midfield means at least one of the two is likely to retain their place against Chelsea.
Player to watch: Andy Carroll
The main problem Liverpool have had this season is scoring goals and therefore as a striker and the club's record signing, Carroll is directly implicated by the inadequacy. When at previous club Newcastle United the £35m man was almost unstoppable at times but trying to adapt to his new team's style of play has seemingly proved too difficult so far. He has had moments however and the goal on Saturday followed back-to-back strikes against Blackburn Rovers and Everton last month. Overall though the England international still only has 11 goals to show from his 54 appearances for the Merseysiders and he must continue to work hard and add to the tally if he wants to safeguard his Anfield future.
Chelsea Team News:
Recent dropped points by top four rivals Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle may force Di Matteo to reconsider making wholesale changes. Key defenders David Luiz and Gary Cahill are unlikely to be risked as they continue to recover from hamstring injuries but Fernando Torres is likely to lead the line with Didier Drogba given a well deserved break. Elsewhere cup final substitutes Michael Essien, Raul Meireles, Florent Malouda and Daniel Sturridge will all be hoping for a start.
Player to watch: Fernando Torres
If, as seems likely, Drogba is rested then Torres is expected to play from the start on his first return to Anfield since leaving in January 2011. Despite struggling for long spells since making the move to London and largely acting as a backup to Drogba in the big games, the former Athletico Madrid striker has impressed of late. Torres scored the decisive goal against Barcelona to secure a place in the Champions League final and then notched a hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers a few days later. The trip to Merseyside will no doubt be emotional for all involved. The Liverpool fans, who once idolised him, still feel betrayed by the nature of his departure and are likely to make their feelings known. The 28-year-old needs a good end to the season to make sure of his place in the Spain squad at this summer's European Championships.
Match Facts & Stats
• The two sides have now met 163 times in all competitions. Despite the cup final loss Liverpool still hold the upper hand overall with 73 victories to Chelsea's 57 (33 draws).
• Liverpool's home form has been at the heart of their troubles this season, with just 5 wins from 18 games at Anfield recorded in the league (4 defeats & 9 draws). Only Aston Villa, Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers (all with 4 wins) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (3) have triumphed less on their own patch.
• Due in part to the two domestic cup runs, this game is Liverpool`s 50th of the campaign - the 12th successive season they have reached that half century mark.
• Victory for Liverpool will see them record their third Premier League 'double' over Chelsea within the last 4 seasons.
• A start for Steven Gerrard will see him captain Liverpool for the 250th time. The influential midfielder has managed only one goal in 33 appearances against Chelsea.
• The FA Cup final defeat was the first Kenny Dalglish had suffered against Chelsea as manager of Liverpool. His record now reads 10 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat from 14 meetings.
• Of Chelsea`s 5 away league defeats this season 3 have come in the North-West - at Manchester United, Everton and Manchester City. They have also only kept clean sheets in 2 of their last 11 away league games.
Ref Watch:
Kevin Friend is the official charged with controlling this fixture. From Friend's 32 games this season the 40-year-old has shown 112 yellow and 3 red cards. One of those sending offs was the contentious decision to dismiss Liverpool midfielder Spearing at Craven Cottage during Fulham's 1-0 victory back in December. The Leicestershire based official last took charge of the Reds during their 2-1 FA Cup semi-final win over Stoke City in March whereas Chelsea have to go back to December and a 1-1 home draw with Fulham for their last encounter with Friend.
Match Prediction:
Hopefully Liverpool will bounce back from their recent heartbreak but given this season's home form and the lack of importance resting on the outcome I'm doubtful. Whether we finish 7th or 10th it really does not matter in the overall scheme of things. A double domestic cup success would have impressively papered over the Grand Canyon sized cracks facing Liverpool but it was not to be. There are several players who are not good enough and as a result we might as well give a further chance to some of the promising youngsters. The owners (Fenway Sports Group) have already shown they are not afraid to make big decisions and this summer will be crucial given that their recent heavy investment does not appear to have been used wisely. In terms of this fixture I hope the players are keen to end the season on a high and give their all. If they do, we should be able to avoid a 5th home defeat but I see a victory as unlikely. I predict a 1-1 draw.
Next Fixtures:
Liverpool - Premier League vs Swansea City at Liberty Stadium on Sunday 13th May 2012, kick off 3.00pm.
Chelsea - Premier League vs Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 13th May 2012, kick off 3.00pm.
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