Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool

Carling Cup Quarter Final
Wednesday 19th December 2007 @ 7:45 pm
Stamford Bridge

Liverpool will not be heading to Wembley after a night when Rafa sent out the boys to play the men at Chelsea.

Benitez made 9 changes from the weekend clash against United, and although some big names were present it was clearly a second string Liverpool side. The reds played some decent football and Chelsea’s keeper can be credited with keeping the scoreline to 0-0 for long periods but when Frank Lampard scored followed minutes later by a straight red card to the lunging Peter Crouch the game, and Liverpool’s chance in this competition had ended.

Now, breaking with tradition and in what could become a new feature – it’s the ‘Anfield Online can’t be arsed match report’….

Fat Frank scored thanks to a deflection off Carragher on about 55 minutes.

Then….

Jon Obi Mikel, in usual style, got away with a few tackles on Crouch before he stupidly retailiated with an attempt at the long jump – two footed in to Mikel. Even better Crouch did it right in front of the managers. The result – a straight red card. A nice 3 games off over the festive season for Peter then – excellent work (please send your pay packet for the next two weeks back to the Anfield Stadium Fund, thanks).

Liverpool down to ten men and start to play like a beaten side.

Andriy Shevchenko scores (but also gets injured).

That was it really. If you travelled all the way down to see us dumped out the cup then I hope it makes you feel better that Steven Gerrard, Reina, Torres etc were all sat at home getting some ‘girlfriend-time’ in.

Post Match Reaction:

Rafa Benitez:

Some kind of defence of Peter Crouch….

Avram Grant:

Some kind of defence of Jon Obi Mikel….

Teams:

Liverpool: Itandje, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hobbs, Aurelio, Sissoko, Lucas, Alonso (El Zhar 60), Voronin, Crouch, Babel (Benayoun 73).

Subs Not Used: Martin, Hyypia, Riise.

Sent Off: Crouch (60).

Booked: Alonso, Lucas, Sissoko.

Chelsea: Cech, Bridge, Carvalho, Belletti, Ben-Haim, Essien, Mikel (Ballack 68), Lampard, Kalou, Shevchenko (Sidwell 90), Sinclair (Joe Cole 57).

Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Ferreira.