COMMENT: Stamford leg won’t be a Bridge too far for Liverpool

Apr 23 2008 by Nick Smith, Daily Post

IF only Chelsea were as easy to shrug off as police advice. With supporters channelling their energies into hoisting their heroes up amongst the European gods once more, the nearly men of West London again found themselves being ushered closer to another semi-final exit door.

Until John Arne Riise used his head to forcefully slam it shut once again.

But even that calamitous injury-time own goal couldn’t stifle the singing and the insistence – however optimistic it looks now – that “we shall not be moved”.

In that sense Tom Hicks, like choosing Sky camera angles, positioned himself perfectly last night – even if the Merseyside constabulary wouldn’t agree.

The Texan, like all figures of opposition on European nights of Anfield, couldn’t escape the firing line completely – he even loaded his own bullets by taking his seat 10 minutes before kick-off.

There were fingers pointed, mostly in quite offensive formations, during You’ll Never Walk Alone.

There was booing when one of the Hicks party stood up to field Pepe Reina’s wild clearance, which only got louder when they completed the catch instead of copping one full in the face.

But for one night only Hicks was in general unison with the Liverpool hordes.

It may be for very different reasons to the majority, but he wants Chelsea to go the same way as Rick Parry – out.

So like Claude Makelele to Steven Gerrard, the eyes, and indeed voices, were trained one only thing – giving Anfield the perfect send-off as it closes business for the 2008 European Cup run.

It seemed to have the desired effect for so long but the fact that it failed to inspire a bigger lead or repel that late heartbreak, won’t diminish the belief.

Especially as it’s still too close to call once again.

Liverpool, of course, have history on their side – but in the present day Chelsea’s home record is undeniably outstanding.

Stamford Bridge hasn’t hosted a home defeat for 26 months and 66 games, and Chelsea have completed must-win second legs victories there in the previous two rounds of this competition.

And their last home Champions League meeting with Liverpool this time last year may have been swamped by events in the second leg but they still managed a 1-0 victory on the night.

This time just a simple 0-0 will do them.

Only not so simple. The record has, however, in the time that has elapsed since Barcelona triumphed on their way to success in 2006, probably never been under the same scrutiny as it will be in a week’s time.

While the awesome pulling power of the Kop has so often hauled Liverpool over the finishing line, what must not be overlooked is that they don’t always have to rely on it.

They don’t need to be playing in front of their own supporters to close out a tie.

It was the case against Inter Milan in the last 16. And they could even afford to leak an away goal to Juventus in 2005 such was the efficiency of Benitez’s Continental expertise in closing out the return leg in Turin.

Okay, so this time they don’t have a lead in their luggage. But Liverpool have proven time and again they can do the lot in this competition and the fact that they have to again won’t faze anyone.

But Chelsea will be infinitely more relieved at having got Anfield out of the way rather than have it waiting menacingly round the corner for them.

Even now, on the morning after, they won’t be able to believe their only serious effort on goal in the final minute of stoppage time from an opposition player has banished their Anfield demons.

They were never ally going to be able to do it themselves. Efficiency gives way to raw nerves when they arrive here and although they were tactically astute in last night’s opening stages, the vital touches were lacking.

And the calculated, cold, hard refusal to be beaten that has seen them without a league defeat since December, was totally deserting them here once again and it had disastrous consequences on the opening goal.

But then, the occasion can get to everyone.

How else can Torres leaving the ball behind on his way to a clear run at goal and a precious second be explained?

About as well as Riise’s bizarre header it seems.