Chelsea at Liverpool: Who wins?
Chelsea will be traveling to Liverpool tomorrow for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal series and trying to pick a winner in this serious is a difficult proposition.
Do you go with Liverpool, which has enjoyed so much Champions League success through the years? Or do you go with Chelsea, who have come on strong late in the year to challenge for both an EPL title as well as Champions League gold.
I'm picking Liverpool, not only for the experience Rafa Benitez's team brings to the table, but also because of the impressive path the Reds took to get here, beating Inter Milan AND Arsenal in the process. I don't think Chelsea has been as impressive and I think Liverpool's defense is better. My prediction is Liverpool by an aggregate score of 3-1.
Who do you see winning this Champions League semifinal series? Share your predictions below.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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When Chelsea lose, watch the Stamford Bridge exodus. If Liverpool lose, Tom Hicks will be sent back to the states for his own safety, and the front office drama will continue.
Posted by: Homey Boehme | April 21, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Liverpool should be considered the favorite. The Reds have clearly focused on European football since they conceded the EPL title a month or two ago.
Posted by: Dominghosa | April 21, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Ives,
Do you ever pick Chelsea NOT to lose?
Posted by: Tom S. | April 21, 2008 at 01:53 PM
I'm a Chelsea fan and expect Liverpool to go through. Should be close (and deadly boring).
Posted by: Matt | April 21, 2008 at 02:03 PM
I just want to see a match with the intensity and pace of last weeks Man U. Arsenal tilt.
I just wonder if Chelsea advance and somehow win the Premiership, does this make Avram Grant a misunderstood genius?
If Liverpool bows out, you'll have enough off-season, front office drama that'll eclipse the 3-ring circus that is the Metrostars/RBNY.
Posted by: Stan from El Barrio | April 21, 2008 at 02:06 PM
chelsea wins. all.
Posted by: David Martinez | April 21, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Yes Ives, I don't think I've seen you pick Chelsea once. But as a Blues supporter, I urge you to keep picking against them. I think the first leg will be 1-1, and Chelsea will win the second leg 2-0.
Posted by: tedhill | April 21, 2008 at 02:54 PM
L I V E R P O O L , B A B Y!
Posted by: Kire | April 21, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Manchester United
Posted by: RONANDO | April 21, 2008 at 03:12 PM
It's hardly a coincidence that Liverpool's Champions League success runs parallel with the fact that they're never in a title race after January.
I personally don't care as long as it's not a bore. That's probably hoping for too much, though.
Posted by: mike | April 21, 2008 at 03:27 PM
You have to give it to Liverpool, they've been playing so great and Chelsea...well i haven't seen much in Chelsea.
Posted by: Alex | April 21, 2008 at 04:17 PM
liverpool goes through, close game though. I think maybe 3-2 on agg. they play good away and great at home. rafa should play the same line up as he did against arsenal in the 2nd round except babel starts over crouch
Posted by: marc | April 21, 2008 at 04:23 PM
Chelsea @ Liverpool? Who gives a flying f*ck?
Posted by: John | April 21, 2008 at 04:33 PM
0-0 tomorrow and then Chelsea wins 1-0 at home in two of the most defensive games in the history of the champions league
Posted by: dwbpnm | April 21, 2008 at 04:58 PM
If you don't care John, why even post here?
I'm really excited for tomorrows game. I could careless if it is entertaining, as long as my boys score at least a goal and don't concede an away goal (0-0 wouldn't even be that bad of a result). It will be interesting to see if Rafa goes for it with the first leg at home (throwing out an attacking side), much the same as he did against Inter in the first round.
"It's hardly a coincidence that Liverpool's Champions League success runs parallel with the fact that they're never in a title race after January."-Mike
This is ridiculous and just a regurgitation of WSD talking points. Liverpool has actually been in a pretty substantial fight for 4th and has been forced to utilize the bulk of their first team in every game (except the Fulham game this past weekend) throughout Feb, March, and April. Additionally, Liverpool has gone 8-1-2 in its last 11 PL games, its not like they were completely ignoring these games.
I agree January killed their title hopes with a loss to West Ham and draws to Middlesbrough, Wigan, and Aston Villa. However, these same results plunged them into 5th forcing them to fight to even qualify for the CL. I would even argue that the confidence they gained in their CL success helped turn the PL campaign around.
Posted by: Chase | April 21, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Someone wins 1-1 on away goals. Most likly Liverpool but really it could go either way.
The shock of the week would be if it is remotely interesting to watch.
Posted by: Thom | April 21, 2008 at 06:08 PM
i am a liverpool fan,but, i see a tough match...at the end livepool can not loose in anfeild...i see 2..0..chelsea loose..then they[chelsea]play goaless in standfoad brigde..
Posted by: otuekong, nigeria | April 21, 2008 at 07:40 PM
I think Liverpool will win, but I know the people watching this match won't win if current history between these two holds true.
Expect borefest city.
Posted by: papa bear | April 21, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Liverpool will win the first leg 2-1 and draw the second leg 1-1.
Marching onto Moscow!
Posted by: Joe_in_ND | April 22, 2008 at 10:57 AM