It was always going to be a tough game for Liverpool. Having gone down 3-1 at Anfield to Hiddink’s rejuvenated Chelsea, many critics had already written off Liverpools chances. It was not helped as the team news came through confirming that Liverpool’s influential skipper would not even be on the bench. As the Kick off whistle blew, liverpool fans knew that 3 goals here and surely they should go through. Liverpool were the first to strike, with Aurelio curling in an easy free kick which saw Petr Cech leave the whole of his left side open, only for the ball to sneak in. This opened the gates for Liverpool and the game was now in their hands. The pressure from Liverpool’s midfield was immense and Chelsea were already showing signs of folding. The pressure paid off in the 27th minute as Ivanovic clumsily pulled down Alonso in the box. Alonso put the ball on the spot and smashed in an unstoppable penalty, sending Cech the wrong way. Hiddink responded to his sides lack of energy by replacing Kalou for Anelka in only the 35th minute. Half time came around with liverpool firmly dominating with many nervous Chelsea faces in the crowd.
Hiddink would have been livid having seen his players slip to an early two goal deficit, and had already warned his players about complacency. The second half started with Chelsea knowing that they had to turn the pressure on or it would be Liverpool progressing to the semi finals. Hiddinks half time words were clearly inspirational as Chelsea clawed a goal back in the 50th minute after a terrible mistake by Pepe Reina. Drogbas delicate touch bounced off the hands of Reina and into his net. Matters were only made worse for Liverpool six minutes later when Alex thundered home a beautiful free kick for Chelsea. It was Liverpool who now looked like the team who were folding, and chelsea had looked to have won it by bringing the aggregate to 5-3 in Chelsea’s favor. Chelsea then had the opportunity to really finish off the tie, but after good work from Drogba, Ballack could only pass it into Reinas grateful arms. With the game coming to a close Benitez opted for more attacking and replaced a quiet Mascherano with Riera. This proved to do nothing as Chelsea created a beautiful move between Ballack and Drogba and Lampard was there to tap it in. With the game aggregate and 6-3 in Chelseas favor the match was surely over. Benitez seemed to think so and with ten minutes remaining he replaced his star forward Torres for the youngster Ngog. Liverpool were not yet done and through luck Lucas’s shot received a wicked deflection and Cech was sent the wrong way. This goal seemed to breathe new life into a lackluster Liverpool side and only a couple minutes later the game was well and truly back on as Riera provided a beautiful cross for Kuyt to powerfully head home. With the smell of an amazing comeback in his nose Benitez took off left back Arbeloa for Ryan Babel. The game was truly put to sleep when in the 88th minute Lampard produces a wonderfully curling shot that goes in off the post, leaving the game at 4-4 and Chelsea going through with the aggregate of 7-5.
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