It was not so long ago that Luis Felipe Scolari's men walked away from Anfield after offering very little threat to Liverpool, and conceding two late Fernando Torres strikes. Tonight, Guus Hiddink took his Chelsea side to Anfield with much more ambition and came away with a 1-3 victory, thanks to a brace from Ivanovic and a Didier Drogba goal. Liverpool's goal was provided by the man who sunk Chelsea earlier in the season at Anfield, Fernando Torres.
The Anfield side started in an attacking mood, as they did against Real Madrid, and could have been a goal up within three minutes, after a Dirk Kuyt volley flashed narrowly past the post upon taking a deflection. It signified the importance of an early goal for Liverpool, who tried to avoid a frustrating deadlock in a match that has seldom produced goals.
And just like they did against Madrid, Liverpool got their goal through Fernando Torres after six minutes. Florent Malouda was caught ball-watching, allowing Kuyt to beautifully find Arbeloa in space with a back heel. Arbeloa picked out Torres in the middle, who placed his shot into the bottom corner beyond Cech with precision. So often Liverpool have enjoyed early leads in Europe, which have led to victories; Daniel Agger and Luis Garcia against Chelsea at Anfield, to name a few.
However, Chelsea are a different kettle of fish now, far from the team that meekly admitted defeat earlier in the season to Liverpool and they could have found themselves level within one minute of the restart. Kalou caught Aurelio on the ball, and found Drogba unmarked in the heart of the Liverpool defence. He shuffled the ball into a shooting opportunity with his first touch, but Reina came out on top in the one-on-one.
Chelsea had the sharp edge that they have so often lacked this season, and they cut the Liverpool defence open once again just after the 15 minute mark. Michael Ballack's volley was scuffed upwards and the ball was on track to find Frank Lampard six yards out. However, Didier Drogba once again let Liverpool off the hook by intercepting the pass, as he was offside and a free kick was awarded.
On the 24th minute, Florent Malouda was played in by Drogba but fired his shot across the goal. Chelsea were displaying the threat that they lacked at Anfield under Luis Felipe Scolari, and at Stamford Bridge after going a goal behind.
Two minutes later, Torres caught Lampard in possession and ran straight at the Chelsea defence, who backed off. The Spaniard shadowed himself with Alex, and tried to curl his effort into the far corner in Bergkamp-like fashion, but the ball did not drop in time. It was gripping end-to-end football, similar to the Manchester United-Porto tie last night.
Just another two minutes after that, Drogba powered past Carragher on the penalty spot controlling the ball on his chest, but blazed his volley into the Kop. It was another great chance for the re-focused Drogba, who was displaying the hunger that he lacked under Scolari and Grant. The last time such fire was in the belly of the Ivorian was under Jose Mourinho.
Ten minutes before the break, the adventurous Arbeloa terrorised Ashley Cole, before curling a similar effort to Torres' but the ball went a yard beyond the far post. Petr Cech, who was solid all game, did not seem worried by the effort.
And three minutes later, Chelsea had the equaliser that they thoroughly deserved. Ivanovic exploited the Achilles heel of the Liverpool side, zonal marking, as he rose in the box in between four Liverpool players, and powered his header beyond Pepe Reina. It was a terrific run by Ivanovic and the celebration that followed displayed the new-found unity of Chelsea under Guus Hiddink.
Similar to the Torres goal, Liverpool could have found their response very soon after. Kuyt stole the ball off Ashley Cole which left him to pit his witts against Petr Cech, but he, like Drogba, came out second. Cech made himself big and deflected the shot behind the goal.
The second half started with Liverpool keeping possession, but it was Chelsea that once again showed their fangs. Dazzling play in front of the Liverpool defence allowed Drogba to run at Carragher. He coasted beyond the defender and slid the ball under Reina, but Carragher got back and rescued Liverpool with a goal-line clearance.
Soon after, Lampard was played in beautifully by the man-mountain Essien, who was outstanding throughout, and shot a low-cross into the heart of the Liverpool box. Kalou was close to making contact, but Liverpool managed to bundle the ball away. It was nerve-racking times for the Liverpool faithful, as Chelsea showed collective and individual endeavour that in truth, was a joy to watch.
However, just a minute later, 'Gernando' combined well on the edge of the Chelsea box to allow Torres a glimpse at goal. Alex moved quick to cover the danger, and Torres could only blaze over into the Kop, much like Drogba in the first half.
John Terry stupidly wrote his name in the referee's notebook just after the hour, after colliding with goalkeeper Reina. He had a slim chance of reaching the ball before the on-rushing Reina, and to pick up a booking, which will keep him out of the second leg, is something he must surely regret.
It was just a minute later when Ivanovic once again exploited Liverpool's marking system to give the London side the advantage. Rising off a Chelsea corner, high above Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, he beautifully placed his header into the Anfield Road net. Pepe Reina showed his frustration at Liverpool's ineptitude to defend set pieces, but it was also a fantastic leap and finish from the Russian, who claimed his second goal for his employers.
Five minutes later, Chelsea carved the Liverpool backline open once again as Ballack beautifully put Malouda through. Malouda's excellent run was matched by an equally skillful cross into Drogba, who evaded Carragher and Skrtel before pounding the ball into the net. It was a superb goal from Drogba, who deserved the goal for the desire and determination he displayed throughout the night. His change in attitude may be the consequence of great player management from Hiddink, and he was a nuisance all night for Liverpool. Credit for such a beautifully-worked goal must also be given to Malouda, who has not enjoyed the best of times at Stamford Bridge so far, but displayed the terrific wingplay the Londoners have been lacking since shipping Robben off to Madrid.
Drogba was replaced by ex-Liverpool striker Nicholas Anelka, but not before causing more trouble in the Liverpool defence. Lampard sprung a quick counter-attack and played Drogba in on the corner of the box, who then flicked the ball to the back post for a team-mate, but Skrtel intercepted. However, the header, aimed at Reina, could so easily have found the back of the net, but instead hit Reina and bounced out of danger.
Liverpool found it extremely difficult to create any sort of chance, and the reason was down to the drive and athleticism of Michael Essien, who completely nullified Gerrard for the 80 minutes he had to. The Ghanaian displayed extreme drive in the 89th minute, when he blocked Ryan Babel off, and drove his Chelsea team forward; it is such drive that his team has lacked in his absence. He then played it to Malouda on the wing before carrying on his run. Malouda played Essien back in, who subsequently measured his pass to Lampard to perfection. Lampard tried to knock the ball past the on-rushing Reina, but could only hit the chest of the Liverpool goalkeeper. It was another let-off from Chelsea, who could have had five or six.
In stoppage time, Liverpool finally managed their first shot on target when Torres stretched for the ball and directed a rather tame effort straight at Petr Cech. Seconds from the end, Xabi Alonso could only find the Russian with a long-range effort, as Cech comfortably tipped the ball over the bar. And such was Liverpool's desperation, Reina, who had kept Liverpool in the match at some periods, dragged himself forward for the resulting corner. The resolute Chelsea defence remained strong yet again, and the whistle was blown to a chorus of cheers from the fans in blue.
The game revolved around Liverpool's ineptitude to defend set-pieces, and the return of the dynamic Michael Essien. Essien nullified the talismanic Gerrard, and Lampard harassed Alonso. One could talk about Liverpool's inadequacies, but tonight was all about the resurrection of Chelsea as a force once again in English football. For a team that has lacked so much for the season, they played with heart and direction, more importantly, throughout the match. Drogba was dynamite, Essien was electric and Ivanovic was incredible; three performances that give Chelsea a major advantage in the tie.
Man of the Match: Michael Essien (10)
Had Lionel Messi not single-handedly destroyed Bayern Munich on the same night, the Ghanaian would be a personal choice for the best player in the world. More consistent than Ronaldo, two good feet, pace, strength, drive, defensively solid and offensively threatening. He nullified Steven Gerrard when he had to, and remained extremely disciplined throughout. Great performance, great player.
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