In advance of our seventh Champions League encounter in the past three seasons, YNWA takes a look back at our past meetings with Chelsea in cup competition.
On the way to Athens
Joe Cole bagged the only goal of the Semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge, as the Blues were unable to get past Pepe Reina a second time, despite an under par reds performance. Jamie Carragher played his ninetieth European game in the Anfield return, breaking Ian Callaghan's club record, as Daniel Agger converted a cleverly-worked free-kick to take the tie into extra time. Dirk Kuyt had an effort ruled out for offside, and also hit the woodwork before Pepe Reina was the hero in a penalty shoot-out that we won 4-1, saving from both Geremi and Arjen Robben. Kuyt struck our decisive fourth spot-kick.
This was the first time we had faced the same team in European competition three consecutive seasons, and was the third round in a row in which Bolo Zenden had come up against a former employer, following ties with Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven.
Another semi
John Arne Riise's free-kick opened the scoring in the FA Cup Semi-final at Old Trafford in April 2006 before Luis García extended our lead early in the second half with a sublime volley. Didier Drogba's header ensured a nervous last twenty minutes, but Joe Cole blazed over with the Blues' only real chance of note as we hung on to reach our thirteenth FA Cup Final with a 2-1 victory.
Off to Istanbul
We headed towards our sixth European Cup Final in May 2005 having faced Chelsea in the Semi-finals. We held the League champions elect to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge, with the best chance falling to Milan Baroš, whose header was brilliantly saved by Petr Čech. However, the major talking point was Xabi Alonso's harsh booking that forced him to miss the Anfield return. Luis García converted the only goal of the game four minutes into the second leg, with the referee clearly indicating that the ball had indeed crossed the line, despite Chelsea protests. The Anfield atmosphere remained white hot, with many supporters considering this to be the famous old ground's greatest ever night as the reds held out for victory. Hearts were in mouths when six minutes of injury time were conjured up, and especially when Eidur Gudjohnsen shot past the post deep into added-on time. Jamie Carragher was immense in both games to ensure that Chelsea had nothing to show for their efforts.
Also on the Champions League
We were held to a goalless draw at Anfield in September 2005, with another very strong penalty claim turned down - this time when William Gallas blatantly hand-balled in the box.
In the return group fixture in December, Sami Hyypiä set a new club record for consecutive European games by an outfield player by playing in his 56th straight game in Europe. This game also ended goalless, with Dietmar Hamann managing to play the full game despite a horror tackle by Michael Essien. This guaranteed us a supposedly easier draw in the last sixteen, when we were paired with SL Benfica.
Versus the Blues in the League Cup
We were beaten in the Final of the Carling Cup in Cardiff in February 2005, 3-2 after extra time. John Arne Riise struck in the first minute, and we led until a Steven Gerrard own goal rescued Chelsea with eleven minutes left. Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman netted before Antonio Núñez bagged a consolation, his only reds goal.
We lost 2-0 in west London in the Fifth Round in December, with Peter Crouch sent off for a wild lunge at John Obi Mikel. Momo Sissoko made his 87th and final reds outing in this game.
We beat Chelsea 2-1 at Anfield in November 2000 in the Third Round of the Worthington Cup, our hundredth League Cup win. Pegguy Arphexad made his first-team debut in a game which saw Emile Heskey sent off late on. Danny Murphy opened the scoring before Gianfranco Zola equalised with a header. Robbie Fowler got the extra-time winner against our only top-flight opposition in that season's victorious campaign. This was his first senior goal in ten months.
Our only other League Cup meeting came back in August 1977, en route to our first ever Final appearance. Kenny Dalglish and Jimmy Case struck as we won 2-0 in the Second Round at Anfield.
Also in the FA Cup
We have won four of our nine meetings in the FA Cup, including both of the most important ones. We met in the Semi-final at Villa Park in March 1965, with Peter Thompson on target and Willie Stevenson converting a penalty as we won 2-0. We also met the Blues on our way to Wembley glory in January 1986. Ian Rush and Mark Lawrenson were on the scoresheet within two minutes either side of half-time in our 2-1 Fourth Round win at Stamford Bridge.
Our other victory came in the Third Round back in January 1962, when Ian St. John struck twice as we won 4-3 at Anfield, with Roger Hunt and Alan A'Court also netting.
