Courtesy ScROs
Liverpool FC would travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday for an important fixture with the team that surely has no history, Chelsea FC. For Liverpool to have any chance of finishing the season in the top four, and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, they would need to secure all three points. Chelsea on the other hand, would relish the opportunity to celebrate their Barclay’s Premier League championship in front of a recent rival.
With the title locked up, Jose Mourinho opted to make a number of changes to the starting XI. Youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek would step into one of the holding midfield spots, along with John Obi Mikel. Loic Remy would step in as the lone forward, and Filipe Luis would man the left back position.
The home fans would only have to wait five minutes for the first goal to be scored. John Terry added to his already impressive goal scoring record for a defender, by heading one in from a corner. A shaky start for the Reds was compounded by an early goal, they would now have to settle down, and make sure they don’t let in a second.
Liverpool did well to not concede a quick second, but couldn’t create any sustained periods of pressure themselves. As we’ve seen in the past, it’s extremely difficult to comeback on Chelsea, particularly at Stamford Bridge. Even with some 60 minutes remaining, the Reds would have plenty of work to do.
Liverpool would equalize on the stroke of halftime, through none other than Steven Gerrard. The longtime captain created space on the far post, and was able to head in a ball past Thibaut Courtois.
The halftime speeches would be changed just a bit for both managers now. Mourinho would call for focus, and knowing him, would instruct his men to keep it tight in defense, keep possession, and to pick their spots offensively. Brendan Rodgers will be telling his men to push on and go for it in the second half, knowing their chances at a top four position are on the line.
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It would indeed be Liverpool who started the second half on the front foot. Raheem Sterling set up Coutinho, but his effort went just wide of the post.
The game then hit a slow period, which clearly favored the home side. In response, Rodgers brought in two attack minded substitutions, Jerome Sinclair, and Jordan Ibe. The visitors would need to roll the dice in the last 20-25 minutes of the game to try to get the crucial second goal.
Both teams threatened towards the end, but none could grab the winning goal. A point will do for the champions, now just one more victory is needed to hit the 90 point mark that Mourinho wanted to accomplish. Liverpool will now need to pull off something special to sneak into the top four.
MOTM: John Terry – The captain scored another goal, and yet again showed his “ageless” qualities by leading a solid defensive effort by the Blues.