Kop resolves not to sing Blues
The all-English Champions League semi-final clash between Liverpool and Chelsea guarantees that at least one Premier League side will reach the final in Moscow on 21 May.
Rumour has it that Roman Abramovich has already reserved his hotel suite in the Russian capital but his team must defy recent historical form and beat their European nemesis, Liverpool, before tempting fate by booking any team rooms.
Chelsea and Liverpool are meeting in a Champions League semi-final for the third time in four seasons. Liverpool have come off best in each encounter: last year they beat Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out after normal time ended 1-1, while 2005 saw the Reds win the semi 1-0 on aggregrate before going on to beat AC Milan in the final.
Not many people would bet against Liverpool — undefeated in seven straight Champions League matches — clinching a place in what would be their third final in four years.
With four home wins behind them, chances are Chelsea won't get many of those valuable away goals when the two sides meet at Anfield on Tuesday (ITV1, 7.30pm).
On the other side of the draw, the third English club travels to the Nou Camp (Wednesday, 7.00pm, SS2). Barcelona advanced to the semi by beating Schalke, while two-time champions Man United saw off Roma 3-0 on aggregate to keep them in pole position for a domestic and European double.
This week's featured game
Champions League Football: Liverpool v Chelsea (ITV1)
It's the fourth semi-final appearance in five seasons for
the Blues, but John Terry was reportedly underwhelmed with his side's performance in their quarter-final. So Chelsea will have to raise their game to defeat a Liverpool side on fire after their scintillating tie with Arsenal last week, in which Steven Gerrard put away a cool penalty after a contentious decision. Which of the England team-mates — who coincidentally celebrated their marriages on the same weekend last year — will lead their club to victory on Tuesday?
