Chelsea – Liverpool

1. <i>ESPNsoccernet</i> will bring you live commentary of Chelsea's Premier League meeting with Liverpool from 1530 GMT. Team news to follow.

2. <b>Liverpool team:</b> Reina, Enrique, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Lucas, Adam, Kuyt, Maxi, Bellamy, Suarez. Subs: Doni, Downing, Carroll, Carragher, Henderson, Kelly, Spearing.

3. <b>Chelsea team:</b> Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Mikel, Drogba, Malouda. Subs: Turnbull, Torres, Meireles, Bosingwa, Sturridge, Anelka.

4. Afternoon all,

5. We'll be bringing you live updates from Chelsea's big clash at home to Liverpool.

6. It's certainly a big game for both. Both need a big result and a big performance and, with the top four race as open this season as it's ever been, they'll be desperate to get a win to begin to build some momentum.

7. The reaction to Chelsea recently dropping points has probably been harsh. They lost to a clinical Arsenal side and played against QPR with nine men for the majority. Andre Villas-Boas, perhaps inevitably, is already under pressure and with Guus Hiddink once again a free agent, that pressure will only increase without victory.

8. Liverpool, meanwhile, look very much like a side that has yet to gel. Points have been dropped in must-win games against the likes of Norwich City and Swansea City but, to Dalglish's credit, they've performed well against the other big sides since he returned to Anfield.

9. Another subtext to the game is, of course, Fernando Torres appearing against Liverpool. Villas-Boas has benched him, however, although only time will tell if it proves to be the correct decision.

10. Chelsea's current line-leader, Didier Drogba, is a veteran of recent Liverpool-Chelsea clashes and despite Torres having enjoyed an improvement in his form lately, he still appears susceptible to pressure so it could well have been a wise move by Villas-Boas.

11. Any chances Drogba - or, indeed, any other Chelsea attacker - receives will have much to do with Liverpool's central defensive pairing of Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger. The two have failed to convince when previously paired together and, in Juan Mata, also face one of the Premier League's most dangerous players.

12. ...any defensive cover provided by Charlie Adam and Lucas will be important.

13. Kenny Dalglish seems quietly confident before kick-off...

14. Other selection surprises include Craig Bellamy, Maxi Rodriguez and Glen Johnson for Liverpool. All three are positive, offensive selections, although Stewart Downing and Martin Kelly are both very unlucky to have been dropped. They've been amongst Liverpool's best performers this season.

15. The set-up, however, is likely to be there to allow Liverpool to counter-attack Chelsea. The pace and movement of Suarez and Bellamy could also cause myriad problems for a Chelsea backline that's as insecure as it's been since John Terry became a first-team regular.

16. Key battles to look out for: Suarez vs Luiz, Kuyt vs Cole and Mata vs Johnson.

17. Luiz is very talented but can be erratic and Suarez could be a nightmare for him to play against.

18. Johnson is far from a solid defender - his strength is going forward - but his pace will be key in keeping Mata quiet, although that's far easier said than done.

19. Kuyt, meanwhile, may come into his own trying to limit the threat of Ashley Cole attacking. Full-backs are a big part of how Chelsea play, particularly under Villas-Boas, but Kuyt is nothing if not resilient and hard-working so he'll be expected to track the left-back at all times.

20. As for the benches, there are several potential game changers. Chelsea have Sturridge, Anelka, Torres, Meireles (another former Liverpool player) and Bosingwa who could all be used as impact players...

21. While for Liverpool, £35m Andy Caroll, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson will be turned to in pursuit of a goal, if necessary (Jay Spearing's not *quite* in that bracket).

22. Teams are out on the pitch, kick-off is imminent.

23. Throughout the game, feel free to tweet all opinions and comments on the action to @ESPNsoccernet

24. 1'

    <b>Chelsea kick-off...</b>

25. 1'

    Chelsea instantly look to attack but the ball's out for an early Liverpool throw-in.

26. 2'

    Terry in possession at the back, looks to spread the play through Luiz

27. 2'

    ...whose long ball to Drogba is promising until the striker is caught offside.

28. 2'

    Liverpool with the ball at the back.

29. 2'

    Liverpool with an early shout for a free-kick after some excellent passing, with a particularly good final ball from Suarez, plays Maxi through but Cech colletcs.

30. 3'

    Liverpool again passing the ball positively

31. 3'

    But Mikel intercepts...

32. 4'

    Chelsea with the ball at the back again

33. 4'

    Luiz wins a tussle with Suarez to pass back to Cech. Mikel's long ball to Drogba is poor and Reina collects.

34. 5'

    Maxi sent to the floor by Terry but no free-kick given.

35. 6'

    Chelsea throw-in

36. 7'

    Luiz and Terry again playing the ball from the back, but it's not necessarily patient. Both sides looking to move the ball forward wherever possible.

37. 8'

    Chelsea cross over hit, Maxi collects and passes to Enrique.

38. 8'

    Adam sends the ball back to Agger in defence.

39. 8'

    Agger now looking to run with the ball. As with Torres and Owen before him, Liverpool are always looking to get the ball to Suarez.

40. 9'

    Skrtel clears but only as far as Cole. Next attack is thwarted by Johnson who boots clear.

41. 10'

    Free-kick given for Kuyt handball.

42. 10'

    Villas-Boas squatting on the sidelines again...

43. 10'

    Cole and Malouda exchange the ball. Malouda cross met with a volley by Mata but it's wide and Liverpool clear. Good effort and real early threat

44. 11'

    And again! Lampard through ball to Mata cleared by Skrtel!

45. 11'

    Good tackle on Ramires by Adam.

46. 11'

    ...and then by Lucas

47. 11'

    Mikel fires over!

48. 12'

    Ramires blocks Adam pass. Liverpool throw-in.

49. 13'

    Ramires foul on Maxi. Free-kick but not from shooting distance. Adam to take.

50. 13'

    It's short to Enrique whose cross results in a Liverpool corner after Ivanovic clears Bellamy's cutback.

51. 14'

    Charlie Adam with a shocking corner. What a waste.

52. 14'

    Good goalkeeping from Cech. A good run from Glen Johnson was very threatening and almost created a great scoring chance but Cech remained authoritative and produced the save to stop Johnson.

53. 15'

    Agger now in defence

54. 15'

    Maxi's unnecessarily fancy pass curls out.

55. 15'

    Luiz was an impressive forward run. Ivanovic's consequent cross is cleared for a throw-in.

56. 16'

    Kuyt superbly chases down Luiz for a Chelsea throw-in.

57. 17'

    Ball back in Chelsea's defence

58. 17'

    Reina kicks long but Liverpool haven't the aerial presence up front the retain the ball.

59. 18'

    Mata with a delightful chip to Ivanovic. Superb player. Chelsea probing and moving, trying to create an opening.

60. 18'

    Suarez ruled offside!

61. 18'

    Would have been a great goalscoring opportunity after Adam put him through. Good chance.

62. 19'

    Foul on Johnson by Mikel. Liverpool free-kick.

63. 20'

    Heavy touch from Malouda. Ball out for a Liverpool throw-in.

64. 20'

    Foul on Drogba on the edge of the Liverpool box. Sandwiched by Agger and Lucas. Shooting opportunity.

65. 21'

    Liverpool currently conceding too much possession in the midfield area. Lucas and Adam outnumbered by Chelsea's three.

66. 21'

    Drogba and Mata lining up...

67. 21'

    Just wide! A strange moment where no-one on the pitch - or present in the stadium - seemed to know if it went in or not. Very close, and an early warning for Liverpool.

68. 22'

    Johnson's cross collected by Cech.

69. 23'

    Chelsea long ball out for a Liverpool throw.

70. 23'

    Drogba turns Skrtel but Liverpool recollect. Reina with the ball.

71. 24'

    Cole now leading Chelsea's attack

72. 25'

    Chelsea throw-in. Lucas impressing so far.

73. 25'

    Luiz now on another trademark run

74. 25'

    ...if, indeed, they can be called "trademark" given the attention his hair gets.

75. 26'

    Ramires tackles Enrique.

76. 26'

    Terry with the ball at the back, with Mikel dropping back to join him and Luiz and a back three at times.

77. 27'

    Chelsea throw after an Agger block.

78. 28'

    Bellamy through-ball to Suarez is overhit.

79. 28'

    Chelsea throw

80. 28'

    Adam foul on Drogba

81. 28'

    Lull in play since Drogba's phantom 'goal'. Hopefully only temporary.

82. 29'

    Terrible pass from Suarez with both time and space. Could have shot or passed to several team-mates. Far too casual. A big waste.

83. 29'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Lucas booked foor challenge on Luiz.

84. 30'

    Suarez again - gets the ball caught under his feet when well placed.

85. 31'

    Enrique defends well from Mata but the referee gives the foul on Enrique, perhaps unnecessarily. Reina to take the free-kick.

86. 32'

    Cech clears the ball. Liverpool throw-in.

87. 32'

    Bellamy collects the loose ball and provides Johnson with a crossing opportunity, but no-one's in the box to meet it.

88. 33'

    Ramires clears. Liverpool throw-in.

89. 33'

    Liverpool now more lively and confident, defence playing with a higher line.

90. 33'

    Goal-kick for Chelsea.

91. 33'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Maxi! Great goal for Liverpool!

92. 33'

    Defensive error from Mikel gives Liverpool the ball and some sumptuous passing between Bellamy, Suarez, and Maxi - playing one touch football - gives Rodriguez a relatively easy finish. Superb goal.

93. 34'

    Chelsea now have to regroup because, if anything, they've probably been the better side.

94. 35'

    Game resuming a similar shape to before, with Chelsea looking to press forward

95. 36'

    Chelsea again probing...

96. 37'

    Skrtel heads clear for a Chelsea corner.

97. 37'

    ...and another corner...

98. 38'

    Malouda sends the corner high and deep but Ivanovic heads wide.

99. 38'

    Handball by Bellamy. Chelsea free-kick.

100. 39'

     Some big challenges going in but Lee Probert, to his credit, is encouraging the game to flow.

101. 40'

     Lucas fouled so Liverpool win the free-kick. Adam to take.

102. 41'

     Lucas clearly angry, but needs to be careful as is already on a yellow card.

103. 41'

     Free-kick wasted. Skrtel and Agger now exchanging possession in defence.

104. 41'

     Now Reina..

105. 41'

     Adam fouled by Luiz. Poor defending from the Brazilian, playing like a headless chicken.

106. 41'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Luiz booked for the foul

107. 42'

     Suarez lining up the free-kick...

108. 43'

     Curls it high and wide when aiming for the top-left corner. Waste.

109. 44'

     Suarez chips towards Enrique but Mikel defends well, shielding the ball. Goal-kick to Chelsea.

110. 44'

     Liverpool two-on-two against Chelsea, both onside but Suarez's cross is blocked by Luiz for a Liverpool corner.

111. 45'

     Adam with another poor corner. Wasted again. Set-piece specialist, eh?

112. 45'

     1 minute stoppage time to be played...

113. 45'

     Johnson fouls Malouda on edge of Liverpool box. Chance for a last Chelsea attack of the half.

114. 45'

     Free-kick is crossed in but Johnson heads clear. Chelsea corner.

115. 45'

     Luiz heads over, whistle blows for half-time

116. <b>Half-time: Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool</b>

117. Interesting battle emerging between two pick characters - Luiz and Suarez.

118. An odd half - one that hasn't always completely 'got going'. Everytime it develops it reverts back and slows down again.

119. Dalglish will have exactly what he wanted with the half. Liverpool have the lead and, considering they've been set up to play on the counter attack, will see little reason to change their tactics.

120. A concern for him, however, could be Lucas's yellow card. Another booking and therefore playing with ten men completely changes the game.

121. Feel free to send thoughts and comments on the game via Twitter to @ESPNsoccernet

122. Teams are emerging for the second-half...

123. There's been a change...

124. 46'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Sturridge on for the poor Mikel

125. 46'

     Chelsea and Villas-Boas are going for it as Liverpool kick-off...

126. 46'

     Liverpool looking to go forward. Kuyt fouled by Malouda.

127. 47'

     Charlie Adam lines up to take

128. 47'

     And it's bad - again! From around 45 yards Adam shoots but it's nowhere near. Going wide from the moment he hit it.

129. 48'

     Reina kicks clear

130. 48'

     Chelsea now passing the ball around in defence

131. 49'

     But they head forward and Drogba fires over after some decent footwork. High and wide, but it was threatening. Goal-kick

132. 49'

     Enrique shoots harmlessly wide from distance

133. 50'

     Lampard with a lovely pass towards Sturridge who in turn finds Mata but the Spaniard is thwarted by some decent defending from Skrtel

134. 51'

     Cole cross headed out by Enrique

135. 51'

     Adam defends well: tackles Malouda and clears.

136. 51'

     Suarez wins a corner for Liverpool after an Ivanovic challenge down the left

137. 52'

     Bellamy takes but it's not great, ball headed back out

138. 53'

     Nice football again from Liverpool. Maxi, Suarez and Bellamy combining.

139. 53'

     Ramires looking to play in Mata but Lucas reads him and intercepts

140. 54'

     Malouda crosses but Agger clears comfortably

141. 54'

     Malouda cross dealt with by Agger

142. 55'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool!

143. 55'

     Malouda, sets up Sturridge for an easy tap in with an excellent cross. The finish is decent, too.

144. 56'

     Very nearly 2-1! Great save by Reina!

145. 56'

     Last gasp stop by Reina after a Luiz header! Momentum all Chelsea's

146. 57'

     Great long ball from Cole finds Sturridge who shoots, but Reina saves.

147. 57'

     Reina at his best today.

148. 58'

     Cole cross deflected into Reina's hands. Adam now looking to attack

149. 58'

     But he's tackled and Chelsea move forward again

150. 59'

     Drogba cross headed clear by Agger. Liverpool defending desperately.

151. 60'

     Poor Suarez shot. Never going in as he fires wide.

152. 61'

     Another Malouda cross is cleared by Skrtel but the last touch hits Drogba. Liverpool goal-kick

153. 61'

     Lots of pressure on Liverpool at the moment

154. 62'

     Enrique long ball goes nowhere. Cech collects.

155. 62'

     Skrtel fouled by Ramires. Free-kick near the half-way line

156. 62'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Ramires booked for the foul

157. 63'

     Chelsea currently winning all the second balls and giving Liverpool no space.

158. 63'

     Brief drama! Reina rushes out to head a ball Drogba is chasing before kicking clear. Brave 'keeping

159. 64'

     Torres getting warmed up for Chelsea amidst cheers from the home fans and boos from Liverpool

160. 65'

     Well defended from Adam. Liverpool goal-kick.

161. 65'

     Henderson set to come on

162. 65'

     Suarez overhits the through-ball to Kuyt

163. 66'

     Cole cross met by no-one! Dangerous

164. 66'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Bellamy off, Henderson on

165. 66'

     ...which means that unless Kuyt joins Suarez upfront, Liverpool will play a five-man midfield

166. 68'

     Chelsea win the ball back from Liverpool. They've the ball in defence but are looking to push forward

167. 68'

     Great defending from Enrique! Deals with the ball to Mata with his strength and pace

168. 69'

     Chelsea exchanging possession and gradually moving forward, looking for an opening or crossing opportunity.

169. 70'

     Malouda fires wide!

170. 70'

     Given too much space in the box. Better finishing could have given Chelsea the lead

171. 70'

     Chelsea very much on top at the moment, difficult to see where a Liverpool goal is coming from at the moment.

172. 71'

     Ball back with Cech in goal...

173. 72'

     Johnson balletically clears an Ivanovic cross with a back-heel

174. 72'

     Suarez fouls Cole with a trip. Chelsea free-kick.

175. 73'

     Ramires, Malouda and Luiz exchanging the ball until Luiz crosses towards Drogba but it comes to nothing. Reina with the ball

176. 74'

     And Chelsea with the ball in defence again,

177. 74'

     Game still has intensity, but the teams cancelling eachother out somewhat.

178. 74'

     Liverpool clear with Chelsea unable to get a shot away inside the box.

179. 75'

     Ivanovic cross from deep is met by Malouda who fires wide. Poor effort from the winger after getting into such a good position, at which Reina is furious.

180. 76'

     Mata shot blocked by Skrtel. Great build-up by Mata after effortlessly sending Johnson the wrong way.

181. 77'

     Chelsea corner..

182. 77'

     Comes to nothing. Liverpool goal-kick.

183. 77'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Downing on, Maxi off.

184. 77'

     Maxi finished a brilliant move but it's been difficult for him to get into the game this half.

185. 79'

     Suarez with some lovely play! Plays through the legs of Luiz to take it around the defender until he's fouled by Ivanovic.

186. 79'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Ivanovic cautioned

187. 80'

     Adam lines up the free-kick. Henderson alongside him.

188. 80'

     Poor. Again. And again Adam. Poor delivery, blocked by Ramires and out for a corner which is then headed clear by Luiz

189. 81'

     Suarez's tenacity wins a corner... good work when chasing what seemed a lost cause.

190. 81'

     Agger header collected by Cech but he's caught offside, anyway.

191. 82'

     Torres is coming on...

192. 83'

     Liverpool really lacking a line leader at the moment, with Suarez the lone frontman. No focal point.

193. 84'

     Chelsea throw-in after Johnson clears

194. 84'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Drogba off, Torres on...

195. 84'

     To a, unsurprisingly, mixed reception.

196. 85'

     Reina to take Liverpool's goal-kick

197. 86'

     Poor from Kuyt! Fires wide!

198. 86'

     Superb from Henderson in the build-up, takes on Cole and produces a nice cross, but Kuyt wastes both time and space in what may have been Liverpool's last chance...

199. 87'

     Sturridge shoots wide, selfish approach.

200. 87'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool! Johnson scores a great individual effort!

201. 87'

     Great control from a long ball, dribbles inside the penalty area and maintains his composure before curling a finish past Cech. Possible winner against his former side.

202. 88'

     Chelsea will now be desperate for the equaliser.

203. 88'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Suarez off, Carroll on

204. 89'

     Suarez has worked very hard. Carroll on for some fresh legs and (Liverpool hope) to hold the ball up

205. 90'

     Only minutes for Chelsea to now equalise...

206. 90'

     Well defended by Lucas, intercepting from Cole and sending the ball clear. Chelsea, through Lampard, come forward again

207. 90'

     Torres roundly booed by Liverpool's fans but crosses very poorly when he should have shot

208. 90'

     3 mins stoppage time

209. 90'

     Johnson long ball looking for Carroll

210. 90'

     Adam and Liverpool happy to keep the ball and run the clock down

211. 90'

     Last minute of stoppage time

212. 90'

     Meireles fires well over! Poor effort and very ambitious.

213. 90'

     Game surely won now, next to no time remaining

214. <b>Full-time! Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool</b>

215. First time since 2002 that Chelsea have lost two in a row at Stamford Bridge

216. Clinical from Liverpool who can't argue that they were the superior team

217. As is often the case in tightly contested games, an individual moment of brilliance - this time from Glen Johnson - made the difference as he scored a late winner against one of his former sides to put Liverpool even on points with Chelsea.

218. Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal all on 22 points (Tottenham have played two fewer games).

219. Pressure will really grow on Villas-Boas, now. The worst thing Chelsea can do is panic, especially as they are in transition, but panic is exactly what they tend to do.

220. Liverpool, meanwhile, will hope to build some much needed momentum from the game and start to string a run together. Despite the win - another against one of the league's best - it's currently difficult to favour them over Arsenal or Tottenham for the top four but, crucially, they've Gerrard to return from injury.

221. Feel free to tweet any thoughts on the game to @ESPNsoccernet

Sağlayıcının güncel lig tablosudur; maçın oynandığı tarihteki sıralama olmayabilir.