It’s champions league. It’s the semi final. It’s Chelsea vs Liverpool. At this level, what could decide the tie is the pressure on the managers and the motivation and desire of the players. I count Chelsea as the favourites this time and I’ll be terribly disappointed not to beat them. I’ll tell you why.

You may say Avram Grant is under pressure. For what was expected of him, a semi final exit is hardly a bad result for him. I’m not going into the discussion of our rosy path to semi finals. Even if Chelsea is knocked out by Liverpool again, it won’t be a disaster for Grant, that is, just looking at the progress in this competition alone. Moreover, we know that he has always had very friendly relationship with Roman which should considerably ease his pressure and make him concentrate on the job on hand.

On the contrary, it is a complete mess at Anfield. Relationship between the owners and Rafa broke down and that was no secret. Hicks went to the extent of going on record saying that he had people lined up to replace Rafa. Even Hicks and Gillett are not in talking terms now and separate seating arrangements had to be made in the stadium as they did not want to sit together. May be the one things they may see eye to eye is Rafa’s sack.

Rafa wanted money and he got it. He wanted certain players and he got them too. JM was out by September and that must have been a good news for his league title ambitions. Rafa had been to two finals with Liverpool and was champion once. Even players like Gerrard came out to admit that they want the league title more than any other trophy. Fast forward a few months. It is same old Liverpool, fighting for the fourth spot. So now, the champions league is all that they have. With nothing more to lose this season, Rafa could get the sack as soon as he loses this match to Chelsea. Whereas Grant is certainly not under this threat. His buddy has full faith in him and there are even rumours about him being handed over with 100 million euros for new transfers for the next season. When you have such kind of support and co-operation from the top, you are very placed to achieve what you want to.

What about the players? As I said, I think the Chelsea players will have more desire and hunger to go to the final. Of course all the above pressure for Rafa also trickles down to the players too but a good majority of the players are not under any threat for their places next season. They have made it to two finals in the last three seasons and beaten Chelsea twice in the semi finals. That does not mean they come to the semi finals to get beaten. No one would want to lose having come so close to winning the champions league.

The Chelsea players should be feeling sick of losing to Liverpool in the champions league. Having dominated them in all other competitions, champions league seems to evade them. Lampard has been saying that players have no sense of revenge but at the bottom of their hearts, they’d love to give one back to Liverpool at the same stage of the same competition. Grant is certainly not known for his motivational skills. If he lets Clarke and Terry to do the talking, that’s what I’d believe. Motivating the Chelsea players for this match is not going to be too difficult as they don’t want to lose to Liverpool for the third time.

Chelsea have a massive advantage this time. We will play the second leg at fortress Stamford Bridge. For about four seasons, Liverpool is yet to score at Stamford Bridge. How good is that! With this massive advantage and record, Chelsea are in pole position for this tie. It does not matter how many Chelsea score at Anfield. As long as Liverpool does not score more than one goal, we’re in with a big chance to beat them. Earlier Liverpool had to play the second leg at San Siro but they progressed fairly easily. So, playing the second leg at Stamford Bridge does not guarantee us anything but only gives a bright chance of knowing what exactly needs to be done and to do that in front of their own support.

One thing where Chelsea has a distinct disadvantage over Liverpool is the fixture congestion in the second fortnight of this month. You know who we play between these two legs of the semi final against Liverpool? Man Utd. You already know how important that match. These three matches have such significance that our season could be over in two weeks or put us in a position to deal a double blow to Man Utd. We have the players to play three high intensity matches in a space of a week. Whatever happens in the first leg, we will have to remain positive as the other two matches are at Stamford Bridge. One consolation is that Man Utd would be playing Barca on either side of their match at Stamford Bridge.

Positive Factors:

  1. Second leg is played at Stamford Bridge.
  2. Chelsea players are already motivated as they might look for revenge.
  3. Rafa is under more pressure than Avram.
  4. Liverpool are in a turmoil of glorious uncertainties.
  5. A more complete and better rested squad this season for Chelsea.
  6. No one has to play out of position this time for Chelsea

 

If there is a time to play Liverpool, it is this. All pros and cons considered, I’d say that Chelsea has an advantage and are more likely to beat Liverpool for their trophyless season. What do you say?

If you ever get to meet Gerrard, I hope you know what to do!