Match Report - Liverpool vs Chelsea (21/4/13)

Anfield was abuzz for the returns of ex-talisman Fernando Torres and former manager Rafael Benitez whose Chelsea side was eager to take three points and post themselves as firm favourites to secure a champions league spot for next season. For Liverpool, eyes were fixed firmly on Luis Suarez as fans looked on in hope that he would find the back of the net, something Liverpool had failed to do in their previous two fixtures, at Reading and West Ham. Suarez did not disappoint though, he featured heavily in the match and will surely make headlines for his soon to be infamous bite on Branislav Ivanovic in the second half.

The match opened tentatively, with both sides looking to cement their defensive positions and not leak goals early. Chances were few and far between in the first half, with the scoring opened in the 26^th minute as Oscar nodded in at the near post from a Juan Mata corner. Liverpool’s usual creative dynamo, petite Brazilian Philippe Coutinho failed to make his presence known, as he struggled to even get a touch of the ball. Chelsea midfielders Ramires and John Obi Mikel controlled the middle of the park as Liverpool attempted to hold onto some possession in the hope of gaining some penetration in the final third. However, it was not forthcoming, as the first half came to a close Chelsea were firmly favourites to secure three points from this fixture while Liverpool were seemingly struggling to put together anything resembling a foray at goal.

The half time break proved pivotal as Brendan Rodgers made his first substitute of the match, replacing the out-of-sorts Coutinho with ex-Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge. This proved a master stroke for the Reds as Sturridge proceeded to make the lives of the Chelsea defenders a nightmare, hitting the post, playing in Steven Gerrard and finally finding the back of the net, within 7 minutes of his arrival. The goal was expertly manufactured as Stewart Downing controlled a Daniel Agger long ball, finding Luis Suarez who dinked the ball over the head of the defender to Sturridge who found the back of the net in true style. Liverpool well and truly found themselves back in the game, and even with momentum, looking like they could even grab all three points.

Luis Suarez came to the fore once more as a corner in from Juan Mata found Suarez’s hand and referee Kevin Friend had no choice but to point to the spot. Eden Hazard stepped up for the visitors and slotted home past Pepe Reina in the 54^th minute. With Chelsea’s lead restored, Liverpool attempted to step up the tempo and find an equaliser, a challenge which they continued until the final kick of the ball.

The moment which the match will surely be remembered for took place with 20 minutes to play, as Luis Suarez seemed to lunge at and bite Chelsea’s Serbian centre back Branislav Ivanovic. Controversy ensued, as the incident was missed by the officials but certainly not by fans nor by the television cameras. Suarez will surely be in a great deal of trouble with the FA, and could well be handed another multi-match ban. The premier league’s current top scorer may well miss the rest of the season and could even miss some matches next season if he remains with the Merseyside club.

As the match wore on, both Benitez and Rodgers made changes to their sides. For Chelsea, former-Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun replaced Eden Hazard in the 78^th minute, and Nigerian Victor Moses replaced Oscar in the 83^rd. For Liverpool, Jonjo Shelvey replaced Stewart Downing in the 80^th minute, and received a yellow card for catching Oscar just one and a half minutes after his introduction.

Liverpool had many chances to find an equaliser in the final minutes as they again lacked the final product until the 7^th minute of stoppage time when a brilliantly weighted Daniel Sturridge ball from the right found none other than the infamous Luis Suarez whose header beat Petr Cech at the near post to secure a point for Liverpool. Capping off a truly eventful performance from Suarez whose goal is his first in over 400 minutes of premier league football.

Liverpool’s attacking play was the real improvement in this game, as they managed to find the net, thanks largely to Daniel Sturridge who could prove instrumental in the run home if indeed Luis Suarez finds himself on the end of a length ban. Chelsea will be ruing a missed chance to steal a march in the champions league race over against Tottenham and Arsenal, and now find themselves in 4th place, just one point above tottenham and one under Arsenal. Benitez and the blues supporters will be hoping that they can come home strong.

That’s Rosey’s roundup on Liverpool vs. Chelsea!

Thanks for reading,

By Jake Rosengarten