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Wednesday, April 30, 2008
CHELSEA V LFC PREVIEW
SKY Sports 30 April 2008
Chelsea have the opportunity to banish their UEFA Champions League semi-final hoodoo against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge tonight.
Revenge can be an over used verb in football but it cannot be questioned that, in this second leg meeting in the final four of Europe's premier cup competition, the R-word will be bouncing around the home dressing room in West London with a certain degree of frequency.
Having been sent packing by the Reds at the semi-final stage in 2005 and 2007, it would have to be a kind-hearted Blue who suggests that Liverpool are simply the final obstacle in the battle to secure an all-English meeting with Manchester United in Moscow on 21st May.
Chelsea players admit that the memory of their previous eliminations at the hands of their Merseyside visitors sits painfully in the back seat of the mind, but they now appear well placed to avenge those entrances in the history books following last week's 1-1 first leg draw at Anfield.
Liverpool, though, will be happy to be cast as the underdogs as they aim to rake up painful flashbacks for their hosts, while the five-time European champions will also be twitching at the prospect of setting up an all-red Russian meeting with North West rivals United in three weeks' time.
Boss Rafa Benitez appears to be compensating for the absence of former foe Jose Mourinho in provoking any possible war of words with Grant, but the Spaniard's motives and continental pedigree cannot be doubted as he bids to steer Liverpool to a third Champions League final appearance in four years.
Benitez has made no secret of his feelings towards the, perceived to be, animated antics of Didier Drogba and do not be surprised to see the Liverpool chief prowling his technical area following any foul awarded in favour of the Chelsea striker.
Drogba is expected to spearhead a three-pronged attack alongside wingers Joe Cole and Florent Malouda while, in midfield, Frank Lampard should play after missing Chelsea's Premier League victory over United last weekend through compassionate leave.
Ghanaian powerhouse Michael Essien is also expected to return to add some bite to the Chelsea bark following his suspension-enforced absence in the first leg, but Grant is set to play the midfielder in a right-back role.
After ringing the changes in the domestic outing at Birmingham last Saturday, Benitez will return to his star names as defender Jamie Carragher and captain Steven Gerrard start, while striker Fernando Torres will be charged with the vital task of ending Liverpool's eight-game goal drought at Stamford Bridge.
Defender Fabio Aurelio is out for the season after tearing an adductor muscle eight days ago and that is likely to mean Alvaro Arbeloa is shifted to the left of a back four as Steve Finnan comes in on the right.
John Arne Riise would appear to be the Reds' natural left-footed option, but the Norwegian's infamous injury-time own goal last week is likely to leave Benitez begging to differ.
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