The End of the Road for the Reds

What some people may call the most dramatic and exciting game in all of Champions League history, sadly didn’t end in Liverpool’s favor.

The game from the beginning was an up hill battle for the Reds, who had to earn two goals just to be on equal ground with Stamford’s Chelsea.

The Reds had a dominating first half, making all the spectators watching at home and the arena, that Liverpool could in fact could win and move on. Amazingly to Liverpool’s delight, the two goals they so desperately needed came courtesy from Aurelio and Xabi Alonso.

The first sight of hope was when Fabio Aurelio had a free-kick go in at the 18th minute of the first half. Following the momentum ten minutes later, Xabi Alonso who was tugged down by Branislav Ivanovic in the box, picked himself up to turn his penalty shot into a goal.

One goal away from entering the semi-finals, everyone was sure Chelsea was done and Liverpool would survive to see another glorious day. The stadium atmosphere was phenomenal as “You’ll Never Walk Alone” could be heard ringing around Stamford Bridge.

As the second half began, Liverpool was still very much in the driver’s seat. But it was the home team that would clinch another goal to keep their dream of going to the semifinals alive.

It was thanks to Drogba who got the faintest of touches on a Anelka cross to beat Reina at the near post. Minutes later Alex stepped up to strike a thirty yard free-kick past Pepe Reina marking Chelsea’s 2nd goal of the night.

With just over twenty five minutes remaining, Frank Lampard got on the end of a Drogba pass to beat Reina from inside the six yard area. With the game moving into the final ten minutes, Rafa Benitez brought on David Ngog for Fernando Torres.

The impossible suddenly looked possible as Albert Riera crossed for Dirk Kuyt to head past the Chelsea keeper. With seven minutes of normal time left on the clock, Liverpool needed just one more goal to complete their comeback.

With the Merseysiders pushing forward in search that vital goal, a strike that would see them through to the semis, Lampard curled a right-footed shot in off the post to equalize for the hosts.

After all was said and done, the score was 4-4 in favor of Chelsea. Overall taking in the points from the first leg and second the score board looked like this: Chelsea 7-5 Liverpool.

- Match Stats: Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Carvalho, A Cole, Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Kalou (Anelka, 35), Malouda, Drogba (Di Santo, 90+3)

Booked: Ivanovic, Carvalho, A Cole

Goals: Drogba 51, Alex 54, Lampard 74, Lampard 88

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Arbeloa (Babel, 85), Skrtel, Carragher, Kuyt, Lucas, Alonso, Mascherano (Riera, 69), Benayoun, Torres (Ngog, 80)

Booked: Arbeloa, Benayoun

Goals: Aurelio 18, Xabi Alonso 28, Leiva 81, Kuyt 83

Written By: Diana

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