Four years ago, Rafael Benitez sent out his Liverpool team for the second half of the Champions League final against AC Milan trailing by 3 goals to nil.
Whatever the Spaniard said at the break had the desired effect as the Reds turned round that deficit and won the final on penalties. Tonight, in London, they’ll need a similar speech from Benitez as they attempt to overturn Chelsea’s 3 – 1 lead in the Champions League, quarter final 2nd leg at Stamford Bridge.
As well as being a huge match for both teams, it’s a massive occasion for the two big boot brands with some classic match up’s. Here’s our pick of the top 3.
Frank Lampard v Steven Gerrard
This is an Adidas only affair with Lampard in the adiPure II and Gerrard, presuming he’s fit enough to play, in the Predator Powerswerve. This is the 9th Champions league meeting between the two sides and both Lampard and Gerrard have played in all 9 games. Gerrard needs two goals to equal Manchester United’s Paul Scholes as the top Champions League English scorer with 21 goals.
Ricardo Carvalho v Fernando Torres
An Iberian meeting of the highest quality as Carvalho comes in to the side with John Terry suspended with the job of keeping Torres quiet. In addition to being defender v attacker, Portugal v Spain, it’s also Adidas v Nike with Carvalho in the Predator Powerswerve’s and Torres in the K leather Total 90 Laser II.
Jamie Carragher v Didier Drogba
Drogba is on a great run of late with 6 goals in his last 8 games and if he adds to that tally tonight, it’ll be all over for Carragher’s Liverpool. As with the Carvalho v Torres encounter, this is another clash of the football boot heavyweights with the black and white Predator’s of the Liverpool defender up against the lightning speed of Drogba’s Nike Mercural Vapor Superfly.
In addition to our top 3 showdowns, keep an eye out for the blue sapphire, black and white Total 90 Laser II’s of Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, who scored twice in the first leg, and Javier Mascherano of Liverpool who is back from suspension.
I think this could be a cracking game.
Gerrard’s Pred’s will out play Lampard.
Torres and his T90’s will skin Carvalho.
Carragher’s Pred’s to out muscle Drogba.
Chelsea will just hold on to win the tie.
Chelsea V Barca semi final.
Porto V Arsenal in the other semi.
CANT WAIT
GONNA BE THER
COMON CHELSEA!!!!!!!!!!!
2-0 Liverpool.
Chelsea has got a huge advantage over Liverpool on this one, but as you guys remembered on the beginning of this article, it ain’t over for Liverpool till they don’t hear the final whistle.
Liverpool are as good as out of the champions league, anyone that thinks not is living in cookoo land!!
Jed you were wrong mate
Drogba was all over Carragher and Lampard had an awesome game even if stevie g wasn’t playing and Torres was better than carvalho but he didnt skin him but aside from that
WHAT A GAME!!!!
Up the Chelsea lads, what a performance! A hell of a match, I might add. Stevie G’s influence on Loserpool’s offense was clearly showing, but credit to them for pulling through and hitting Chech for 4 goals without him. All in all a great match and I think Chelsea can overcome Barcelona because Barcelona just weren’t their usual selves tonight and need to get their defense in order or else Chelsea will walk all over them.
what a great game that was.
Liverpool almost had it.
Too bad Dropba couldn’t stay on his feet.
Awsome game. Definately one of the best champions league matches ever. Congrats to chelsea on the win but no way are they goin to make it past barca.. Hands down the best team in the world right now..
jed, porto wasnt going to beat man u, i think we all knew man u would make it through somehow.