Blog: Five great wins v Chelsea
Liverpool have played some memorable matches against Chelsea over the decades and in his latest blog for Liverpoolfc.com, footballing author Brian Reece rekindles five of his favourite victories against the Londoners.
May 1, 2007. Anfield, Champions League semi-final
Liverpool faced Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final for the second time in the space of two years, and once again the second leg was at Anfield. The Reds lost the first tie 1-0, so the pressure was on Liverpool to show the same heroics as 2005. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was extremely confident of victory this time round, but Rafa Benitez's men were in no mood to go without a fight - the atmosphere was electric and the Kop were in full song.
Liverpool enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges. In the 22nd minute Steven Gerrard was tripped by Chelsea's Joe Cole and a free-kick was promptly awarded in a dangerous position, just level to the left of the visitors' box. The Reds captain stepped up to take the set piece. Chelsea defenders anticipated an in-swinging cross, but Gerrard had another plan in mind.
With a superbly-delivered side pass to Daniel Agger, who had moved in the Chelsea box late and unnoticed, the great Dane smashed home a fantastic low drive to beat Petr Cech who dived to his right but was beaten by the pace of the shot.
Anfield erupted with delight, Rafa Benitez watched on with calm control, while Mourinho looked on in anger. The rest of the first half was one of defensive heroism by the Reds, especially by Argentine Javier Mascherano, who was simply outstanding in the first 45 minutes. The second half was more of an even contest - both teams played great football, Dirk Kuyt hit the bar with a delicious header that beat Cech with ease, while Drogba somehow missed a sitter from three yards.
So now the match went into extra-time. Liverpool were far the better team and the Reds should have been 2-1 up had the linesman not wrongly given Kuyt offside after a shot from Alonso was parried by Cech. The second half produced nothing but anxiety for both sets of fans and then penalties loomed.
After Liverpool went 3-1 up in the shootout, it was all down to Kuyt. The Dutchman looked composed and confident while Cech looked deflated, and he fired a perfect shot into the bottom corner beyond the outstretched hand of the Chelsea 'keeper. Anfield exploded with uncontrollable joy, and as the Reds celebrated the Chelsea players once again had been reduced to tears - Liverpool had beaten Chelsea to another Champions League final.
May 3, 1986. Stamford Bridge, First Division
Liverpool travelled to Chelsea with the title in their grasp - and their manager on the brink of history. Kenny Dalglish would send his players out with the knowledge that a win at Stamford Bridge would bring the title back to Anfield and snatch it from the clutches of Everton.
In the 23rd minute Ronnie Whelan headed towards the Chelsea box, it fell to Jim Beglin who produced a great touch to find Dalglish. The Scot brought the ball under control and fired home.
That victory meant that Dalglish was the first player-manager to win the First Division title - and the Reds then went on to win the FA Cup final against Everton, to cap a famous double season.
May 8, 2012. Anfield, Premier League
After the disappointment of losing at Wembley to the Londoners a few days earlier, Liverpool extracted revenge with a thunderous display that had the Anfield faithful roaring with delight.
On 18 minutes Luis Suarez picked up the ball on the touchline a quarter into the Chelsea half. The Uruguayan then started a dazzling run taking on two Blues players and bypassing John Terry with a delightful nutmeg. Suarez then attempted to play the ball square, only for Michael Essien to knock the ball into his own net. Liverpool immediately went back on the offensive and on the 24th minute Jordan Henderson took full advantage of a slip by Terry and ran clear on goal before slotting home.
Liverpool were to go 3-0 up in the 28th minute when Andy Carroll's great lay off found Daniel Agger just inside the box, who beautifully directed his header beyond the reach of the Chelsea defenders. 3-0 to Liverpool, and the game was all but over within 30 minutes.
Chelsea pulled one back through Ramires's header on 49 minutes, but the best goal of the night was saved for last. Jonjo Shelvey intercepted a poor clearance from Blues 'keeper Ross Turnbull and from 30 yards, unleashed a superb half-volley that rocketed into the net. It was Shelvey's first top-flight goal and it capped off the annihilation of Chelsea.
November 29, 2011. Stamford Bridge, Carling Cup
Liverpool travelled to Stamford Bridge for the second time in just nine days, having won 2-1 in the previous encounter, so confidence was high as was belief. Liverpool missed a penalty in the first half as Andy Carroll struck his kick straight at Turnbull. The second half saw the Reds push on and in the 57th minute Craig Bellamy found himself in acres of space on the right and delivered a stunning square pass to Maxi to slot home.
Then, in the 62nd minute, Bellamy's free kick was brilliantly converted by Martin Kelly to secure the victory. Chelsea pressed but the Liverpool defence yet again proved too good for the Blues, and the Reds would go on to win the Carling Cup by beating Cardiff in the final.
May 3, 2005. Anfield, Champions League semi-final
Never in the history of English football did a single game have such significance for two English clubs and its supporters than the Champions League semi-final second-leg tie at Anfield on May 3, 2005.
The Reds had beaten the mighty Juventus in the quarter-finals and performed brilliantly in the first leg at Stamford Bridge to earn a goalless draw, much to the frustration of Chelsea - but the Londoners were still hot favourites and the confidence of the Blues manager Jose Mourinho was apparent in the pre match press conference.
It was set up to be a classic encounter between the English clubs. One with a pedigree of illustrious European conquests and a never-say-die attitude, the other still dreaming of such feats but with an array of talent.
Come kick off, the Kop had rediscovered its European voice of old and the stadium resembled one of those glorious nights of the past.
Anfield had not witnessed an atmosphere like this for over 20 years and as the players came out they were greeted with a deafening roar from the home faithful, This historic and captivating semi-final was about to begin.
The first moments were untidy, but in the fourth minute Steven Gerrard produced a magical pass to Milan Baros who rushed towards goal only for Petr Cech to bring him down for a certain penalty; however, the referee allowed advantage and Luis Garcia latched onto the loose ball and somehow forced the ball over the line, despite the efforts of John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Wiliam Gallas. Anfield exploded like an earthquake had erupted underneath the ground, the old stadium was rocking and shaking to its very foundations - but the drama of this pulsating tie was only just beginning.
Liverpool matched Chelsea for the entire first half, with both teams playing attractive and forceful football. The second half was a different story for both clubs; the Reds started well but were soon reduced to ever-decreasing counter attacks as the Londoners pushed forward on a constant basis. Jerzy Dudek made a great save from Frank Lampard's free kick while Didier Drogba and Arjen Robben wasted good opportunities to equalise.
Then, in the 89th minute, the fourth official displayed a total of six minutes of added time was to be played to the utter dismay of the packed Anfield crowd.
In the final minute of added time, Chelsea could have booked their place in Istanbul when Dudek came rushing out to punch away an inbound header only for it to fall to Eidur Gudjohnsen, who somehow spurned a golden opportunity to equalise by missing the target when it seemed easier to score. Gallas slumped to the floor with his head in his hands and the Kop sensed that Liverpool were almost within touching distance of Istanbul.
As the final whistle was blown, Anfield rocketed in the stratosphere with uncontrollable joy while Mourinho was left to pick up his players off the floor in tears.
The home players rushed to congratulate each other and celebrate with the fans, Liverpool were once again back in a Champions League final and Istanbul awaited.
And, of course, Liverpool would go on and win the greatest Champions League final ever played against AC Milan in dramatic fashion...