The fact that we have faced them an inordinate amount of times over recent years only exacerbates the rivalry between the two teams. Since the 2004/2005 season the Reds have faced the Blues 28 times, averaging at over four and a half clashes a campaign. Of those, Liverpool have won 10 and lost 11, which gives the impression of relative equality between the two sides. However, when it comes to the big matches that matter most the Merseysiders are clearly superior to their London rivals.This trend was most evidently seen in 2004/2005 when Chelsea won both Premier League fixtures and beat us 3-2 in the Carling Cup final but suffered a 1-0 aggregate defeat in the Champions League semi-final, where a hugely controversial Luis Garcia goal proved the difference. The debate rages to this day as to whether the ball actually crossed the line, however what most Chelsea fans fail to realise is that even if the ball had not crossed the line the referee would have awarded us a spot kick for Cech's foul on Milan Baros in the build-up and sent the Czech stopper off, which would have been an arguably worse outcome for Mourinho's men.
A year later Liverpool reached the FA Cup final at the expense of Chelsea, winning 2-1 in the Old Trafford semi-final due to a spectacular finish from Luis Garcia that the Londoners could have no complaint over. The following season saw Liverpool retain their dominance, clinching the Community Shield and reaching the Champions League final at the expense of Chelsea, this time claiming a penalty shootout victory. Unfortunately, although AC Milan were the Reds' opponents in the final yet again, the outcome in the showcase occasion was somewhat disappointingly different to in Istanbul, as the Italian giants won 2-1. In 2008/2009 Chelsea claimed some revenge with a 7-5 aggregate triumph over the Reds, although Liverpool almost staged a memorable comeback in a thrilling second leg, which eventually ended 4-4.Ever since we dropped out of the Champions League the seemingly constant stream of fixtures between the pair has dried up and the fierce rivalry has subsided slightly. Nevertheless, underlying reasons remain as to why Liverpool and Chelsea loathe each other.
Fundamentally, the two teams are essentially antithetical. Liverpool have a storied and illustrious history yet lacked (until recently) the financial muscle to truly compete at the top echelons of the game, whereas Chelsea, although missing any sort of noteworthy historical successes, have collected domestic cups and League titles thanks to the ludicrous amount of money pumped into the club by Abramovich. Anfield is famous worldwide for its spine-tingling atmosphere. Conversely, Stamford Bridge is regularly (and rightly) derided for housing 'consumers' as opposed to supporters. Liverpool are situated in the working class north whereas Chelsea are located in the comfortably middle class Kensington area.
The sporting, cultural and economic differences couldn't be much more pronounced. It is therefore somewhat surprising that so many players have transferred from the Reds to the Blues recently. Nevertheless, it is hardly startling to discover that those who have left Liverpool for Chelsea have struggled to settle in and succeed down south.
Firstly, Yossi Benayoun, who was a valued creative midfielder at Anfield, moved to Chelsea in July 2010. He appeared only eight times for his new side though and was quickly shafted out on loan to Arsenal. The fact that he was loaned to one of Chelsea's top-four rivals reveals what Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas thought of the Israeli's talent. Most recently, Portugese midfielder Raul Meireles departed for Stamford Bridge literally minutes prior to this summer transfer window's deadline and hasn't exactly revolutionised their midfield. At £12 million Liverpool got a good price for the 28-year old.
Most famously and controversially, Fernando Torres traitorously left Liverpool to join Chelsea towards the end of January this year. The whopping sum of £50 million that we received for him was a British transfer record and made Torres the fourth most expensive footballer in history. Liverpool are more than delighted with the deal while Chelsea hurriedly search for the Spaniard's receipt.
His first game in a Blue shirt was against former club Liverpool and he was subjected to unmerciful abuse, as his previous employers emerged victorious. Since then he has really struggled to find any semblance of form and has become a figure of ridicule due to his laughable goalscoring record, netting a measly three times in 22 appearances.The Chelsea number nine will hope to improve that abysmal record as Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge twice in the space of nine days soon, initially to complete our Premier League fixture against the Blues before also competing in the Carling Cup quarter finals. Liverpool head into the encounters in a rich vein of form on the road, claiming four away wins in a row in all competitions. Chelsea, meanwhile, will have had their confidence shaken by conceding five at home to Arsenal at the end of October and are generally vulnerable defensively, conceding 15 goals so far this season, more than any team in the top seven except Tottenham Hotspur.
The tie will be tight and could prove a barometer of where the two teams will finish this season. I predict a draw or narrow victory for the visitors. More importantly, in the long term Liverpool have the potential to overtake the Blues, as Villas-Boas faces a tough task to overhaul their ageing squad while Dalglish has already begun a Red revolution that could propel us back into contention for the top prizes in the not so distant future. Following FSG's takeover, both teams have similar financial strength and both are investigating the possibility of building new stadiums or re-developing their current ones.
The foundations seem to be built for a long-term rivalry that is likely to see the Reds and the Blues clash many more times and the proverb 'familiarity breeds contempt' proved resoundingly true.
YNWA
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