Source: SKY_Sports
Chelsea v Liverpool live!
Chelsea 4 Liverpool 4. A breathtaking contest is all over and the Blues march into the last four. Both sides deserve to take plaudits for the performance they put on and I hope you enjoyed the game as much as I did.[LNB]90+3 Late change sees Di Santo come on for Drogba[LNB]90+2 Chelsea are playing for time now and this is all over.[LNB]90 Three minutes of stoppage time to be played.[LNB]90 Off the line from Essien as Cech flaps and Ngog drills goalwards. We can't have any more goals surely!?[LNB]89 GOAL CHELSEA - LAMPARD. That has got to be it. Anelka feeds Lampard on the edge of the box and he finds the top corner with a first time effort. No-one is going to be forgetting this game in a hurry![LNB]87 Lampard sets his sights from the corner of the box, but sees his stinging drive deflected behind. The Blues waste the set-piece and invite Liverpool to attack once again.[LNB]85 Arbeloa makes way for Babel. Final throw of the dice from Benitez.[LNB]This is getting ridiculous as Drogba almost goes straight up the other end and level matters. As it happens, his spinning effort drifts wide. I can't take much more of this![LNB]83 GOAL LIVERPOOL - KUYT. This is incredible. Riera breezes to the dead-ball line, fires over a cross and Kuyt is left unmarked in the middle to nod home from six yards. The Reds only need one more to go through.[LNB]81 GOAL LIVERPOOL - LUCAS. Yet another goal as Lucas tries an ambitious effort from 25-yards and the ball deflects past Cech and into the bottom corner. Is there life in this game yet?[LNB]80 Ballack takes his turn from a 20-yard free-kick, but curls well wide. Meanwhile, Ngog has joined us and Torres has trudged off.[LNB]79 Ngog is ready to come on, but the electronic board isn't working and he must wait for his chance.[LNB]78 Chelsea could end up running away with this becasue Liverpool are dead on their feet.[LNB]76 GOAL CHELSEA - LAMPARD. The turnaround is complete. Drogba beats the offiside trap, gets to the by-line and pulls the ball back for Lampard to bundle home. The Blues are heading into the last four.[LNB]75 Drogba and Anelka almost combine brilliantly, but Carragher shuts the door.[LNB]74 Arbeloa catches Essien with a high tackle and is rightly cautioned. He too would miss the first leg of the semi-finals should Liverpool find two more goals.[LNB]74 Lucas and kuty both try their luck from the edge of the box but fail to find a way past the blue wall.[LNB]73 Chelsea are flowing forward evey time they get the ball and now look the more likley to find a third. Who could have predicted this at the interval?[LNB]72 Liverpool deal with Lampard's delivery, but struggle to clear their lines.[LNB]71 Wondeful run from Malouda as he breaks past tackles, before being seen out by Skrtel. He does win a corner though.[LNB]70 Torres, who has been very quiet, almost finds the target in spectacular fashion. He spins on the edge of the box before sending a curlign effort inches past the post.[LNB]69 Mascherano makes way for Riera and Benitez goes for broke.[LNB]68 Liverpool are doing all they can to establish a foothold in the game, but are getting frustrated. Riera looks like he is about to enter the fray.[LNB]67 Ballack should have put the game out of sight, but he fires straight at Reina when picked put by Drogba. Liverpool are pushing so far forward that there are now gaps opening up all over the place.[LNB]65 Cole sees yellow and that rules him out of the first leg of the semi-final. That could see a stand-in facing Barcelona's Lionel Messi - bit of a worry.[LNB]63 Mascherano tests Cech with a low drive. The Chelsea keeper spills the ball, but Benayoun is unable to force in the rebound.[LNB]62 Aurelio with a searching cross towards Kuyt, but Cole is on hand to see the ball to safety. Chelsea look like a different side and are now playing with confidence. What a difference from the lacklustre showing they put in during the first half.[LNB]61 Alex tries his luck from distance once again, but gets this one all wrong. His weak effort cannons into the wall and Reina breathes a sigh of relief.[LNB]60 Mascherano is fortunate to escape a caution as he sends Drogba sprawling. This has been an incredible contest, swinging one way and then the other. A great advert for English football and the Champions League.[LNB]59 Liverpool waste a free-kick on the edge of the box as Benayoun fails to pick out a team-mate. Heads have dropped and I can't see the Reds lifting themselves again.[LNB]58 Carvalho goes into the book following a late tackle.[LNB]57 GOAL CHELSEA - ALEX. All over and Chelsea look to be heading into the semi-finals. Awesome striker from Alex as he blasts home a 25-yard free-kick. It flew past Reina despite it being quite central, but it was a wonderful effort. Liverpool's hard work counts for nothing.[LNB]56 Drogba takes over free-kick duties and comes so close to ending this tie as a contest. A Ronaldo-esque strike flashes past the post with Reina rooted to the spot. Some of the crowd think it is in, but it clatters into the side-netting.[LNB]55 Liverpool have been pegged back a bit since the goal and need to rediscover their rythm. Their job hasn't altered, they still need another goal so they should not let up.[LNB] Adam Marsh from New Zealand still sees Chelsea going through. He believes his chosen troops like to do things the hard way, and tonight will be no different.[LNB]53 Hiddink still looks like a worried man on the sidelines and is bellowing instructions at his side. Can they hold on and sneak into the last four?[LNB]52 Anelka did well to squeeze over a cross for the goal but Reina, who has been solid all night, had an absolute nightmare there. Could be what Chelsea needed to get to grips with the game.[LNB]51 GOAL CHELSEA - DROGBA. Mistake from Reina as he allows a tame effort to creep in at his front post. Drogba got a slight touch to a low cross and the Reds' keeper could only fumble into his own net. Doesn't change much, but puts extra-time on the cards.[LNB] Laurence from Ireland says, with the recent spate of 3-0's 4-0's and 5-0's that Liverpool have been handing out, Chelsea must be wishing they didn't have to play the second half. It's going to be a great second half whatever happens. I agree![LNB]49 Anelka tries to squeeze over a cross from the left, but slips as he makes contact with the ball and dribbles his effort along the floor.[LNB]48 Vital interception from Cole as he prevents Mascherano from escaping through the middle. The Argentine has got forward much more than usual tonight.[LNB] Craig in Tulsa is another going 3-1 and extra-time. Not sure my nerves could cope with that, never mind those of the two sides involved.[LNB]47 Cech caught in no-mans land as he rushes out to meet Lucas. The Brazilian does well to find Aurelio behind him, but the Full-back lofts a cross behind with the Blues scrambling to get back. Another let off for the hosts.[LNB]46 What will each manager have said at half-time. Benitez, I imagine, wants more of the same while Hiddink must have read the riot act.[LNB] Chelsea get us up and running again.[LNB] Quick run through those getting in touch as we might not get much time after the break! Niranjan sees Liverpool getting another, Barry sees us going all the way to penalties, Scott will eat his shirt if the Reds win 3-0 and Fredy is going 4-0 to the Reds. Apologies to those I have missed, but your thoughts are most welcome and keep them coming![LNB] You can also bet inplay at skybet.com. 3-0 to the Reds in now 9/2, while 3-1 and extra-time is 5/1. You can get Torres at 11/2 to score the next goal.[LNB] Remember you can keep your opinions coming in at Chris.Burton@bskyb.com. How do you see the second half going. Can Liverpool do it or will Chelsea hold on?[LNB]45+1 Chelsea 0 Liverpool 2. Incredible first half comes to a close with the Reds well on top. More of the same after the break please![LNB]45+1 Another scare for Chelsea as they are rescued by the referee. A mass of bodies fight for the ball six-yards from goal and the Blues are awarded a tame free-kick - much to their relief.[LNB]45 The ball falls to Alonso, though, and he wins another corner off Drogba. Chelsea clear their lines initally, but the second ball eventually finds Kuyt and he almost loops a header over Cech.[LNB]44 Testing cross from Kuyt to the front post forces Carvalho to hack behind. Aurelio takes the corner but only finds a Chelsea head.[LNB]43 Chelsea waste possession again as Essien gifts the ball back to Liverpool with the Blues well placed. They just haven't got going tonight, even after shipping two goals![LNB] Chris Redding is another expecting Torres to join the party in the not too distant future. The Spaniard will be desperate to make a telling impact, but he has not been needed so far![LNB]42 Ivanovic and Carvalho rise in tandem in an effort to reach Lampard's set-piece and between them loop a header narrowly past the post. Reina was back-tracking for a moment, but was never troubled.[LNB]41 Benayoun is cautioned for hauling down Anelka. Seems harsh. He fouled the Chelsea man, but it was hardly worthy of a booking.[LNB]40 Alonso sprays a long ball for Torres to chase. He is quick, but not quick enough and the pass runs away from him.[LNB] Leif Alonzo is tuning in from NYC and expects the Reds' momentum to carry them into the last four. Hard to argue against that at the moment, but Chelsea are still going through as things stand.[LNB] Tom Kirk believes Anelka will make a difference and sees him bagging for the Blues.[LNB]38 Lampard lifts a free-kick to the back post, where Alex sends a head back across goal. Blue shirts pile in looking to get a touch, but Reina is there again to slam the door.[LNB]37 Great defending from Alonso as he nicks the ball off the head of Lampard and behind for a corner. Once again Reina gets a good hand to the delivery and sees it out. The Spaniard has looked very strong so far.[LNB]36 Kalou makes way for Anelka. Tactical from Hiddink who is danger of seeing his European dreams dashed. Can the Frenchman make an impact against one his former clubs?[LNB]35 Alonso clears to safety as Chelsea launch a rare attack. With no-one up front for the Reds, the ball is coming straight back.[LNB]34 Movement on the Chelsea bench as Anelka appears to be getting ready to join the fold.[LNB] Stephen Dooley, in Tokyo, has got up at 3.45am to keep tabs on this and is desperate to see the Reds get another. He thinks Torres could be the man to send the Merseysiders into dreamland.[LNB]33 End-to-end stuff as Liverpool force a corner off Essien. The delivery is poor though and drifts away on the far side. Chance to catch our breath![LNB]32 Malouda takes and Reina comes through the crowd to clear. Liverpool then set off on the counter. He loses pace though and they decide to recycle possession.[LNB]31 Another sighter for Lampard as he fires a 30-yard free-kick into a red shirt. Not happening for the Blues, but they have won a corner.[LNB]30 Ivanovic goes into the book.[LNB]30 Penalty shout for Chelsea as Ivanovic tumbles in the box. Nothing given as Carragher pleads his innocence. In fairness to the Blues defender he doesn't really appeal.[LNB]29 This in incredible. We could be in for a long night![LNB]28 GOAL LIVERPOOL - ALONSO. Alonso makes no mistake from the spot as he sends Cech the wrong way. No sign of nerves there and Liverpool are within touching distance of turning this around![LNB]28 Aurelio, from the same position from which he scored, picks out Skrtel six yards out, but the whsitle goes. Offside appears to be the call, but the ref points to the spot. Ivanovic cautioned for holding.[LNB]27 Benayoun and Torres combine in the box, but Ivanovic gets in a telling toe at the vital moment. Liverpool claim a back-pass, but their complaints fall on deaf ears.[LNB]26 Wayward from Lampard as he lifts a long ball over the Drogba intended for Drogba. It is badly over-hit, though, and rolls through to Reina. Sums up Chelsea so far.[LNB]25 Uncompromising from Mascherano as he prevents Essien from sneaking past him by bringing him down. Malouda's set-piece comes to nothing.[LNB]24 Sloppy from Kuyt as he does well to create a yard in midfield and them sprays the ball out of play. He had runners right and left and should have picked one out.[LNB]23 Chelsea look far from happy at the back. Terry's presence is definitely causing a problem. Carvalho and Alex have been around a long time, but look wary every time the ball comes near them.[LNB] Al in Toronto is going for 3-0. It's on the cards![LNB]22 Torres forces Carvalho into an error and Cole is forced to hammer into the stands. The Blues are rocking and Liverpool are walking onm air at the moment.[LNB]21 Unsurprisingly the away support are now the ones in full voice. This game looks like being everything we hoped it would be![LNB]20 Great awareness from Aurelio as he spotted Cech on the move and fired home from fully 25-yards. Can the Reds build on that, and what will it do for Chelsea's nerves?[LNB]19 GOAL LIVERPOOL - AURELIO. Cech caught out by a moment of inspiration from Aurelio. The Chelsea keeper steps off his line in readiness for a free-kick delivered into the box, but the Liverpool full-back goes straight for goal and finds the bottom corner. Just what the game needed.[LNB]18 There is a lack of urgency from Chelsea at the moment as they sit deep and are prepared to soak up pressure. They have no need to go forward, but they cannot defend for 90 minutes.[LNB]17 Free-kick from the left is hammered across by Aurelio and sails over the heads of those in the box. What a waste![LNB]16 Liverpool indulge in a bit of keep-ball in midfield and are starting to look more in control of the contest. They need goals though and need to do more in the final third.[LNB]15 Cole floats a cross to the far post, but it skips bewteen Kalou and Drogba and out of play. Good idea.[LNB] Simon in Cape Town has put studying to one side in order to tune in tonight. Good choice my friend. No-one wants to miss this. He is another hoping for an Istanbul-esque miracle.[LNB]14 A 30-yard free-kick from Lampard finds a way through a tame wall and skids inches past the post. Reina was worried for a minute.[LNB]13 Clear sight of goal for Torres, and he wastes it. He skips past Alex with ease on the edge of the box but slices wide from 15-yards. Liverpool cannot afford to let chances like that go begging.[LNB]12 The home supporters are in good voice and are doing all they can to see their side into the last four. Drogba is now running freely again and appears to be feeling ni ill-affects of that earlier knock.[LNB]11 Free-kick from Aurelio is aimed towards the heart of the box and Cech flaps at his punch. The ball escapes out of the area, but the Chelsea keeper looked far from assured with bodies flying around him.[LNB]10 Liverpool make ground down the right and Alonso throws a cross into the box. Easily dealy with by Alex, but after 10 minutes that is the first time the Reds have remotely threatened. Is easing their way into the proceedings the right option?[LNB]9 Drogba scampers away after beating the offside trap, but Reina is alert to the danger and races from his line to clear the danger. Warning to the Liverpool back four that they cannot play so high.[LNB]8 So many men in midfield it is difficult to see where the creativity is going to come from.[LNB] Mark Raeburn, another Red in Colardo, is going 3-0. Reds supporters are very optimistic tonight, good on you! I hope we are in for a classic![LNB]7 Play is stopped as Drogba rolls back onto the field. He seems okay, but is hobbling a bit. There was nothing in the challenge from Lucas.[LNB] Mark Doyle is going 2-1 to Liverpool, setting up a 'crazy last 15 minutes. In the meantime, Drogba is down again holding his knee but he is off the pitch and play goes on.[LNB]6 Last week's hero Ivanovic takes an early touch and wins a throw inside the Liverpool half. It ultimately comes to nothing though. All a bit scrappy at the moment with neither team yet to get their foot on the ball.[LNB]5 Essien, who tracked Gerrard everywhere at Anfield, has opted not to do a man-to-man job on Lucas and is roaming free. Could work in Liverpool's favour if their man can find space in the 'hole'.[LNB]4 Drogba on the deck for the first time as he is clattered by Arbeloa. He bounces back to his feet though and offers no complaint. Feisty start with tackles flying in.[LNB] Vishal, from Mauritius, thinks Chelsea will go for it and win the match 2-1. He sees the goals coming from Drogba and Lampard fpr Chelsea and Torres for Liverpool.[LNB]3 First touch for Reina as he takes a simple cross at the front post. How important will the keepers be tonight?[LNB]2 Casual from Alex as he is almost caught in possession by Lucas. He gets lucky as the ball breaks behind for a goal kick.[LNB]1 Lucas has been pushed forward into the 'Gerrard role' and will offer support to Torres up top. Can the Brazilian make an impact?[LNB] Liverpool get us underway at a packed Stamford Bridge.[LNB] Ali Johnson, a Red surrounded by Blues in Colarado, is another going for a 4-0 away success. Seems to be a popular choice, and with the teams out on the pitch we are ready for action![LNB] Nick Carpenter, slightly tongue in cheek I think, is going 5-0 to Liverpool with Lucas bagging a hat-trick. Anything is possible though I suppose![LNB] Amy in California feels Rafa should have opted for Albert Riera on the left tonight. She also believes that Daniel Agger would have been a better option at the back as he offers more of a threat from set-pieces. Sensible suggestions.[LNB] Keith Webster is keeping everything crossed in hope that Liverpool can stage a dramatic comeback, but admits he could be clutching at straws. He feels the Reds will struggle to break down Chelsea's five-man midfield.[LNB] In contrast, Rahul is of the opinion that with each side losing their skipper, the two setbacks even themselves out. Could be the case, as the Blues have been able to call upon Carvalho and Alex and the Reds have the experience of Mascherano and Alonso in the middle of the park.[LNB] Ben Keraro, tuning in from New Jersey, is going for 1-1 here tonight. He believes Chelsea will be keen to bounce back from a nervy showing against Bolton at the weekend and sees no glimmer of light for the Reds. He feels Liverpool will miss Gerrard more than Chelsea will miss Terry, he could be right.[LNB] Mark Caldwell is confident the Reds can turn things around and is boldly going for a 4-0 win to the visitors. For the record, anyone agreeing with Mark can get 66/1 at skybet.com for that to be the outcome.[LNB] Zakariya Abdulle is first out of the traps with a prediction and is expecting a comfortable night for Chelsea. With kick-off fast approaching we are about to find out if the Blues can book their safe passage through to the last four or whether they will come unstuck in spectacular fashion.[LNB] Tonight's referee is Luis Medina Cantalejo from Spain.[LNB]Liverpool team: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Lucas, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt, Torres, Benayoun. Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Agger, Riera, Babel, Ngog.[LNB]Chelsea team: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Kalou, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Drogba. Subs: Hilario, Di Santo, Mikel, Deco, Belletti, Anelka, Mancienne.[LNB] You can also bet inplay at skybet.com. Chelsea start the game as 5/4 favourites, with Liverpool at 9/4. The draw is also available at 9/4. Support has been growing for the Blues throughout the evening, but Torres is still strongly fancied at 11/2 to open the scoring.[LNB] Can the Reds pull off a shock or will it be the Blues who march on towards Rome? How big a loss will John Terry be for Chelsea? Can Liverpool cope without the injured Steven Gerrard? Who will be the most potent attacking weapon, Drogba or Torres? Let me know your thoughts.[LNB] You can air your opinions on how you think the game is going to go by contacting me direct at Chris.Burton@bskyb.com.[LNB] Rafa Benitez has called for the spirit of Istanbul to be rekindled in the capital tonight, but can the Reds replicate their historic achievements of the 2005 final? Whatever happens it promises to be an occasion to capture the hearts and minds of football fans everywhere![LNB] The Blues therefore enter the game as strong favourites, but the visitors will be expected to throw everything at Guus Hiddink's side in an effort to overturn their first leg deficit.[LNB] There is a place in the last four of Europe's premier club competition up for grabs this evening, and the hosts hold the upper hand following their impressive 3-1 success at Anfield last week.[LNB]Welcome to Stamford Bridge for coverage of tonight's crunch UEFA Champions League clash between Chelsea and Liverpool.[LNB]
