THE REDS HOSTED the Premier League leaders at Anfield in Capital One Cup tonight.
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Who doesn’t love midweek football, aye? We’re down to the last four in this season’s league cup and tonight it’s eight-time winners Liverpool against Chelsea — who have four to their name. The other two remaining clubs, Spurs and Sheffield United, meet tomorrow night.
In a repeat of this fixture, Jose Mourinho earned his first trophy during his first spell as Chelsea manager back in 2005, when Mateja Kezman scored the winner in extra-time.
Remember him?
Both clubs were expected to name strong teams tonight and they have done just that.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Lucas, Henderson, Gerrard, Moreno, Markovic, Coutinho, Sterling.
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Filipe Luis; Matic, Mikel; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Diego Costa.
Liverpool earned a 2-0 win away to Aston Villa on Saturday while Chelsea thumped Swansea 5-0 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
When these two met last met back in November, Gary Cahill and Diego Costa helped the Londoners to a 2-1 victory after Emre Can’s deflected shot had given the Reds an early lead.
How do you see this one going?
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Give us your predictions in the comments section below.
A few words from both managers. First, Brendan Rodgers praising his former mentor:
“He is a top-class manager, Jose Mourinho has proven that over the last decade or so.
“He has great experience but once the players cross the line for me I have a big trust in the group and they are working well at the moment. For us it is certainly not a threat, it is an opportunity to reach a final.”
And here’s Mourinho explaining how he regrets not signing Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
“We did everything to try (to sign him) and it was almost there. I was dreaming of (Claude) Makelele, Gerrard and (Frank) Lampard in midfield.
“We were playing in a proper triangle without a number 10 and playing Maka in front of the defenders. Me, Mr (Roman) Abramovich (Chelsea’s owner) and Peter Kenyon (the Blues’ then chief executive) at that time, we dreamed of that.
His people were open to him joining a top side like Chelsea. But to me personally he never said he would come. Never.
“He (Gerrard) was always a Red and I think the decision was right.”
We’re ten minutes out from kick-off so here’s a quick weather update:
Despite Mourinho’s words, Chelsea fans are already singing that song about Steven Gerrard too.
The yellow ball is out.
We’re off and running. Both clubs in their home strips. The Kop are in full voice.
Thibaut Courtois gets himself in a bit of trouble after Gerrard closes down a back-pass. The Belgian boots the ball out of play and the danger is averted.
A good pace to the game in the opening ten minutes. Sterling holds up the ball well out wide and picks out Jordan Henderson, who is bursting into the box. He cuts the ball back but there are no red shirts on hand to take advantage.
Minutes later, Henderson wins possession and finds Coutinho but Cahill gets the slightest of touches on his through-ball to Sterling and Courtois collects.
Liverpool have started stronger here and Courtois has just been forced into a strong save from Gerrard’s 25-yard strike.
PENALTY TO CHELSEA!
Clumsy tackle from Emre Can on Eden Hazard and referee Martin Atkinson points to the spot.
Cahill fouls Sterling in a wide position 20 yards out from goal and Gerrard whips the ball into the box. Courtois gets a strong palm to it and Chelsea eventually clear.
They keep possession and break through Fabregas but Liverpool get players back in numbers to assist Moreno.
Mario’s watching the game at home tonight… in his onesie.
Five minutes until the half-time break. Liverpool are well in this tie and, other than the penalty, have looked solid at the back. Sterling, meanwhile, appears to be re-energised after his break in Jamaica last week.
Coutinho’s strike wins Liverpool a corner and it’s recycled before Markovic switches a pass to Skrtel but Chelsea get a block in with Gerrard arriving late.
Filipe Luis catches Markovic with a trailing arm and the Brazilian picks himself up a yellow card.
The free-kick is delivered and the Liverpool players appeal for a penalty after the ball hits Diego Costa on the ground. Atkinson waves play on and that will be the last of the first half action.
Half-time: Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea
The second half begins frantically. Fabregas shows superb awareness to step over a pass and allow it run through to Costa. Mignolet is out off his line swiftly, however.
Great chance for Liverpool and Sterling is once again involved. A patient passage of play allows Coutinho to dink a pass into the path of the England international. He side-steps his marker but is blocked by a couple of opponents as he attempts to let fly.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (Raheem Sterling)
Liverpool draw level thanks a super run and finish by that man Sterling.
Liverpool have a spring in their step and have just hit the post through Gerrard. Good work from the excellent Coutinho and the skipper’s left-footed effort clips the upright.
Coutinho then calls Courtois into action with a low drive, which is saved.
That’s the last we’ll see of Gerrard tonight. He has been replaced by Adam Lallana.
Henderson floats in a free-kick and Skrtel gets the better of both Terry and Cahill but can’t connect properly with the header.
Big calls at both ends. First, Costa touches the ball by Sakho and goes down before Courtois slides out on Sterling and appears to handle outside his area.
What a hit! Sterling lays off to Lallana and he catches it sweetly to bring the best out of Courtois.
Mourinho applauds Gerrard before shaking his hand as the Reds captain is withdrawn.
Willian, who has been disciplined defensively but quiet in attack, makes way for Cesar Azilicueta.
Sterling is still full of running. He turns his man but drags a shot well wide. Then he shows some trickery before attempting to chip to a team-mate but Courtois intercepts.
We’ve played the two minutes of injury time now.
Full-time: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
So still all to play for when the teams meet at Stamford Bridge in seven days. Before that, it’s the FA Cup fourth round — where Chelsea face Bradford City and Liverpool host Bolton Wanderers.
Good night and thanks as always for the company.
