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Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling gets into a tangle with Chelsea’s John TerryA buoyed Chelsea travelled to Merseyside for the first leg of the semifinals of the Capital One Cup, after an emphatic 5-0 win over Swansea in the Premier League. Liverpool have finally seemed to have found their footing, having been unbeaten in their last 8 games in all competitions.Leading up to the match, Didier Drogba claimed that the Cup “seemed like a small trophy, but it has big meaning”. This was evident from the strong starting lineups of both teams. Chelsea had only one change from the team that visited south Wales, with the defensive Mikel coming in for Oscar which meant Fabregas would play behind Diego Costa. Steven Gerrard came back into the starting lineup after recovering from a hamstring injury, as Brendan Rodgers opted to play Raheem Sterling up front instead of Fabio Borini.It was a proper semi-final atmosphere at Anfield, as the home crowd tried to get under the skin of the league leaders. There might be 7 teams and 17 points between the two in the league, but this is cup football and stranger things have happened.
#1 A penalty can indeed make the difference
The first half was a scrappy affair, with no team able to really assert themselves. But a Chelsea break, against the run of play in the 18th minute saw Fabregas run down the left flank, dribble past Emre Can and pass it to Eden Hazard, only for Can to clumsily bring down the Belgian for a penalty. To be fair to the German, it is a very unfamiliar role for him at centre-back, having plied most of his trade in the midfield.
Hazard nonchalantly put the ball past his countryman Simon Mignolet to score from what would be Chelsea’s only shot on target.
Liverpool were marginally the better team with some good passing movement and half chances being created, but they lacked quality in the final third. A 30-yard Gerrard shot, and a penalty claim for handball off Costa were the closest they came to scoring. There was a clear difference in tactics between the two teams, with Liverpool pressing high up whereas Chelsea were prepared to play the waiting game with Mikel and Nemanja Matic playing hardly 10 yards in front of the defence.
Chelsea were fortunate to go in 1-0 up at half time, the penalty being the difference.
#2 A Sterling second half
The Reds upped their game in the second half, and were unlucky to not come away with the win. Raheem Sterling was a livewire and brilliantly finished in the bottom corner for the equalizer, after having beaten Gary Cahill for pace.
The Brazilian Philippe Coutinho was a constant headache for Matic and Mikel, with his quick turns and sharp change of direction. Unfortunately for the vociferous crowd at Anfield the ball always found a way into the hands of Thibaut Courtois, or a couple of inches wide of goal, with the best effort from Gerrard to hit the post before he was substituted. Rodgers brought Adam Lallana on for Gerrard to push for the winner in the 70th minute, only for his spectacular volley to be saved brilliantly by Courtois.
Chelsea had 1 shot on goal to Liverpool’s 19 in the match, a clear indicator of the Reds supremacy.
#3 Chelsea live to fight another day
Although Liverpool were clearly the better team in this leg, it is Jose Mourinho’s team that has a slight advantage with the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
With away goals being a factor, albeit after 120 mins, instead of 90 minutes as in the Champions league, it is more the home advantage than the away goal advantage that will be a factor for Chelsea.
On the day though, Mourinho’s men were poor. They seem to be a different team when Fabregas plays as a deep-lying playmaker instead of a number 10. The passing was far from their best, they did not create any chances except the penalty and in general just did not click. It seemed like Mourinho had set his team up to defend, and he might just be satisfied with the 1-1 result.
They seemed happy to settle for a draw and brought on Cesar Azpilicueta for Willian towards the end. Pragmatic Mourinho.
#4 Get Gerrard to Wembley
“Get Gerrard to Wembley” read a banner at Anfield and this may well be the sentiment in the Liverpool dressing room. With the Capital One Cup being the Reds’ best hope for silverware this season, they would be eager to give their legend a farewell present.
With the Blues supporters not heeding their managers demands and continuing the chants about Gerrard’s infamous slip, the Liverpool captain could be excused for feeling sore about it.
Recovering from a hamstring injury, he had a great game overall and did enough to muffle the taunts. He played a few delightful passes and tested Courtois with a long range swerving, dipping effort. He also had the best chance to score the winner, but could only strike the post. He hasn’t enjoyed the best of fortune against the Blues, but will be looking to avoid any “slip-ups” this time. Oops, Sorry Jose.
#5 Mourinho vs Liverpool
Jose Mourinho has lost only 3 semifinals at Chelsea, and all of them have been against Liverpool – twice in the Champions League, and once in the FA Cup. The most famous being the one with the Liverpool ghost goal in 2004-05 Champions League, which is a painful memory for the Portuguese even now. Mourinho will be eager to avenge this record against his former colleague.
Once the managers of the youth team under Mourinho, Rodgers has come through the ranks to challenge his mentor’s philosophy accusing him of “parking two buses” in their visit at Anfield last season.
The relationship between Rodgers and Mourinho has turned sour, and neither of them would want to give up the spoils, giving added importance to the League Cup. It seems to be all set up for a stellar second leg at Stamford Bridge next week.
