Liverpool FC Forum

by **RedorDead** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:04 pm

I made a post on another thread but tought this might be worth some discussion.
I was just thinking about the semi final draw for the FA Cup and I honestly believe Chelsea will fear us like they havn't feared a team before under Mourinho.
Every match they have played since his arrival they have believed they are going to win, they believed they would beat us in the League Cup final last year and they did, they weren't quite so fortunate in the European Cup semi final but they still thought they'd win. They will have gone to Barcelona this season believing they would turn them over and go on to win the European Cup, it is the confidence or arrogance if you like of their manager that has given them this attitude. Love it or hate it that belief and confidence has served them well and they have won most of their games even when they have played badly.
I just think that the tide has turned slightly now, Chelsea have had some poor results in recent weeks and some even poorer performances. They have shown frustration on the pitch and had three sending off's in a couple of weeks now and their confidence will be rocked and to see ball number 4 pulled out the hat just now must have produced a sigh at Stamford Bridge, of that I am sure.
We are firing on all cylinders having bounced back from a bit of a blip in some style. We have scored 15 goals in 3 games and are playing with an air of confidence and I honestly believe we will win at Chelsea quite comfortably.
Point i am trying to make is that I think some Chelsea players will believe this too, they will know how hard we are to beat and will know they aren't performing and will be pretty worried, more so than any time uner Jose.

by **JBG** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:12 pm

People forget that in all the time we have played them when Benitez and Mourinho have been in charge, we have beaten them only once, and for the four goals we have scored against them, they have put eleven past us.

Therefore, logically, is it not us who have something to fear?

by **simic_ie** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:27 pm

We were going to have to beat them to win the cup this year so it may as well be in the semi's. I agree with you JBG, I think we've no real right to be confident of beating them. We beat them once, alebit in unforgetable circumstances, but since then we've not exactly performed wonders against them. Given the fact we are a team they hate, because of what we did to them in the CL, they are always fired up and at their best against us. I think if we get through this we'll have done very well indeed. I'm hopeful more than confident

by **Paul C** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:39 pm

JBG wrote:People forget that in all the time we have played them when Benitez and Mourinho have been in charge, we have beaten them only once, and for the four goals we have scored against them, they have put eleven past us.

Therefore, logically, is it not us who have something to fear?

But what people need to remember is that Chelsea haven't been playing well since Barca battered them the other week, don't get me wrong I don't expect a walk in the park but this is the worst they've been playing all season.

by **RedorDead** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:43 pm

I know they have a good record against us, but take out the 4-1 game and every game has been extremely close. I just feel that Chelsea are a team that thrive on confidence and belief, they have great players of course but technically I don't think they are the best team in England let alone Europe, they win matches with ability, yes but as often by sheer belief. how many games have they won in the last few minutes, how many matches have they ground out 1-0 when they have played bad. My point really was that if their confidence is down which it appears it might be they will be a bit more fearful of us than before, perhaps more fearful than against anyone they have played.

by **73-1141222089** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:57 pm

JBG wrote:People forget that in all the time we have played them when Benitez and Mourinho have been in charge, we have beaten them only once, and for the four goals we have scored against them, they have put eleven past us.

Therefore, logically, is it not us who have something to fear?

Spot on...... I know that we've scored 15 in the last few games but that's no reason to get complacent..... As much as I hate to admit it, Chelski are still a formidable side and should be treated with care.... Not fear mind you, but we need to go into this with eyes wide open and a strong sense of self belief.....

With pace to burn down both wings and a monster striker like Drogba.... they'll be a threat for sure.... Especially as left back is most probably our weakest position in defence at the mo..... Their pace has a potential to make life miserable for Finnan and Riise.... They need to be protected by the midfielders.....

Likely Rafa'll use Momo/Hamann and Xabi in the centre and Gerrard down the right in an attempt to neutralize Duff... but this may blunt our attack...

I'm no manager but I hope that we go in guns blazing and take the game to Chelsea... Plenty of pressure on Makele/Essien should break up their short game and passing rhythm....

We get that right and we should be more than ok especially with our attack finally gaining some confidence.....

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea is what I've got my money on.....

C'mon you REDS!!!!!!!!!

by **azriahmad** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:57 pm

Chelsea's belief had been instilled by Mourinho. However, at the same time, he has stifled their natural creativity/skills by curtailing what their flair players' use of their gifts. Wrong way to go in Europe, as these exact flair is needed at times to turn the tightest of games in your favour. With the slight wobble in theri munds after the Barca ties, this is the best chance we have to beat them as our strikers have started to score now.

by **Redman in wales** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:05 pm

Paul C wrote:
JBG wrote:People forget that in all the time we have played them when Benitez and Mourinho have been in charge, we have beaten them only once, and for the four goals we have scored against them, they have put eleven past us.

Therefore, logically, is it not us who have something to fear?

But what people need to remember is that Chelsea haven't been playing well since Barca battered them the other week, don't get me wrong I don't expect a walk in the park but this is the worst they've been playing all season.

hmm... they've won 4 out of their last 5 games so i wouldnt exactly say they're going through a bad patch. While they're performances haven't been setting the world alight it is the result that counts. how many times have we dominated a game and not won? - its not about the performance in the cup its about the result.

plus the semi is still a month away. alot can happen in a month. they could hit form as we could lose it. form right now has no bearing for the game in a months time.

sorry for being a kill joy, but agree with JBG.

by **Effes** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:06 pm

Imkhawx wrote:
JBG wrote:People forget that in all the time we have played them when Benitez and Mourinho have been in charge, we have beaten them only once, and for the four goals we have scored against them, they have put eleven past us.

Therefore, logically, is it not us who have something to fear?

Spot on...... I know that we've scored 15 in the last few games but that's no reason to get complacent.....

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea is what I've got my money on.....

Sorry, but, aren't you contradicting yourself?

Our record against Chelsea is poor.

Yes, they may not be playing their best football of late but they are still very hard to beat. And anyway, league form counts for little in a FA Semi

by **RAGE UK** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:25 pm

We all should have known that this was going to happen.
Chelsea will lose to us.
I said in a past post that I wanted to get Chelsea after the toons it’s our time now the cup is ours.
Chelsea will know that we are the main footballing force now.
There win against the toons was very very poor they was absolutely p.i.s.s poor.
As they have been for there last few games.
I am 100% sure we will walk all over them .The last time they had to play a team that played good football was Barcelona and they walked all over Chelsea just like we are about to do.
my only fear is that they will injure some of our players because not only have Chelsea got the biggest mouths in the premiership but they are the biggest cheats and play the dirtiest football and they don’t give a toss how they hurt on the pitch.
The time to put an end to Chelsea is now.
AND GOD SAID LET THERE BE LIGHT AND IT WAS NOT THE BIRTH OF JESUS IT WAS A LIVERBIRD FLYING WITH A RED AND WHITE SCARFE AND THE WORDS SAID ..............YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE...............................

..................................................> RAGE UK<....................................................................................
....

by **Paul C** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:41 pm

Redman in wales wrote:
Paul C wrote:
JBG wrote:People forget that in all the time we have played them when Benitez and Mourinho have been in charge, we have beaten them only once, and for the four goals we have scored against them, they have put eleven past us.

Therefore, logically, is it not us who have something to fear?

But what people need to remember is that Chelsea haven't been playing well since Barca battered them the other week, don't get me wrong I don't expect a walk in the park but this is the worst they've been playing all season.

hmm... they've won 4 out of their last 5 games so i wouldnt exactly say they're going through a bad patch. While they're performances haven't been setting the world alight it is the result that counts. how many times have we dominated a game and not won? - its not about the performance in the cup its about the result.

plus the semi is still a month away. alot can happen in a month. they could hit form as we could lose it. form right now has no bearing for the game in a months time.

sorry for being a kill joy, but agree with JBG.

I didn't say they'd been losing game but that they haven't been playing well. :;):

by **red37** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:45 pm

RAGE UK wrote:Chelsea will know that we are the main footballing force now.

since when exactly

what 3 games ago!

have a polite word with yourself rage.

we may well beat them in the semi-final. but how many other 'odds/factors' will there be against us other than 11 men in blue on the day?

the chelsea juggernaut rumbles on with little regard for rules let alone fair play... i for one expect a bloodbath type scenario. you cant condemn CFC for their commitment or fighting spirit, you can question their integrity/ethics etc.. but since when has being a 'nice' team ever won the right to trophies. it wont be easy and form goes out the window on occasions like that. same as tomorrow.

liverpool are far from the main football force at the moment, that is an equation with parameters outside the actual game itself nowadays. media/marketing/financial muscle etc..

what we are is an emerging force, capable of beating ANY side. on the day.

but to state we are the benchmark is both highly optimistic and wide of it.

by **73-1141222089** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:45 pm

Effes wrote:
Imkhawx wrote:
JBG wrote:People forget that in all the time we have played them when Benitez and Mourinho have been in charge, we have beaten them only once, and for the four goals we have scored against them, they have put eleven past us.

Therefore, logically, is it not us who have something to fear?

Spot on...... I know that we've scored 15 in the last few games but that's no reason to get complacent.....

Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea is what I've got my money on.....

Sorry, but, aren't you contradicting yourself?

Our record against Chelsea is poor.

Yes, they may not be playing their best football of late but they are still very hard to beat. And anyway, league form counts for little in a FA Semi

Didn't mean to contradict myself....... :blush:

I just hate to bet against us..... no matter what the head thinks, the heart always has the final say I'm afraid......

I know their track record against us is better since Mourinho took over but I never, never bet against LIVERPOOL........ and somehow i feel the need to bet on every one of our games.... did ok in the last 3 games though!!!!!
:buttrock

by **stapo1000** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:07 pm

To beat chelsea, rafa will need to have his team selection and tactics planned to perfection. He got it wrong the last couple of times in the league but was much closer to getting it right in the cl. The best way to approach the game is in the way we did when we played them in the cl imo- Gain as much possession as possible and rely on of our forwards to convert one of the very few chances we create without allowing chelski to create many of their own- Easier said than done of course but i reckon we can pull it off if every player is at the top of his game!!

by **RAGE UK** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:07 pm

red37 wrote:
RAGE UK wrote:Chelsea will know that we are the main footballing force now.

since when exactly what 3 games ago!

have a polite word with yourself rage.

we may well beat them in the semi-final. but how many other 'odds/factors' will there be against us other than 11 men in blue on the day?

the chelsea juggernaut rumbles on with little regard for rules let alone fair play... i for one expect a bloodbath type scenario. you cant condemn CFC for their commitment or fighting spirit, you can question their integrity/ethics etc.. but since when has being a 'nice' team ever won the right to trophies. it wont be easy and form goes out the window on occasions like that. same as tomorrow.

liverpool are far from the main football force at the moment, that is an equation with parameters outside the actual game itself nowadays. media/marketing/financial muscle etc..

what we are is an emerging force, capable of beating ANY side. on the day.

but to state we are the benchmark is both highly optimistic and wide of it.

The only reason we are where we is because we have not been able to score goals.
Every one was fed up with watching us dominate games with out a fair result.
So have some faith in us we will beat Chelsea m8.
Let’s hope on the day our players don’t go out onto the pitch with your attitude.
Forget (bench mark) (odds/factors) save that for school.
Lest all get behind the lads.
My comment was from my heart not a studied analysis of Liverpool football club stats.
For god sakes lighten up it was a light-hearted post m8 and I believe every word of ok.

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