Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Liverpool's European Statistics
Liverpool's Overall European Record: Played 271. Won 155. Drawn 58. Lost 58.
Liverpool's record in European Cup: Played 140. Won 83. Drawn 29. Lost 28.
This is Liverpool's 14th European Semi Final and their 8th in this competition.
This will be the fifth meeting of the sides in Europe and Luis Garcia, in the Semi-Final second leg in 2005, is the only player to score.
Of the men that played at Stamford Bridge at this stage two seasons ago, Igor Biscan, Djimi Traore, Milan Baros, Djibril Cisse and Vladimir Smicer are no longer playing at Anfield while Chelsea won’t be calling on Glen Johnson, William Gallas, Tiago Mendes, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Mateja Kezman.
The Reds have won 25 games in the European Cup since Rafa Benitez took charge, losing just eight of the 41 games.
The Reds' biggest away win in the Champions League (excluding qualifiers) came in the last round when they won 3-0 at PSV.
Liverpool have lost just two of their last 16 away games in Europe, both by a single goal margin - 1-0 at Benfica in February 2006 and 3-2 at Galatasaray on Matchday 6 last December.
Jamie Carragher will equal Ian Callaghan's club record of 89 European appearances if he takes the field in this game. He was an unused substitute against PSV at Anfield two weeks ago.
Steven Gerrard is the club's third highest scorer in Europe with 19 goals and only Michael Owen (22) and Ian Rush (20) have scored more.
If Peter Crouch scores again in the Champions League during this campaign he will break the club record for most goals scored in a European Cup season. He has seven, the same tally achieved by Roger Hunt (1964/65) and Steven Gerrard (2005/06).
Bolo Zenden could feature against a former club for the third successive round. He played for Barcelona and PSV before playing for Chelsea between from 2001-03. He scored four times for the Londoners in 59 games in all competitions.
Should he be involved in this game Sami Hyypia could make his 400th appearance for the Reds.
Jermaine Pennant's only goal for the Reds so far came against Chelsea at Anfield in January.
Liverpool have scored 15 hat-tricks in Europe down the years with the last coming in July 2005 when Steven Gerrard scored three against TNS at Anfield.
Only nine Liverpool players have been sent off in the club’s illustrious history. The last was Igor Biscan in Marseille in March 2004.
Since Arsenal scored six at Anfield in the Carling Cup in January Liverpool have conceded just eight goals in 17 games and kept clean sheets in their last four games.
Liverpool's record in European Cup: Played 140. Won 83. Drawn 29. Lost 28.
This is Liverpool's 14th European Semi Final and their 8th in this competition.
This will be the fifth meeting of the sides in Europe and Luis Garcia, in the Semi-Final second leg in 2005, is the only player to score.
Of the men that played at Stamford Bridge at this stage two seasons ago, Igor Biscan, Djimi Traore, Milan Baros, Djibril Cisse and Vladimir Smicer are no longer playing at Anfield while Chelsea won’t be calling on Glen Johnson, William Gallas, Tiago Mendes, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Mateja Kezman.
The Reds have won 25 games in the European Cup since Rafa Benitez took charge, losing just eight of the 41 games.
The Reds' biggest away win in the Champions League (excluding qualifiers) came in the last round when they won 3-0 at PSV.
Liverpool have lost just two of their last 16 away games in Europe, both by a single goal margin - 1-0 at Benfica in February 2006 and 3-2 at Galatasaray on Matchday 6 last December.
Jamie Carragher will equal Ian Callaghan's club record of 89 European appearances if he takes the field in this game. He was an unused substitute against PSV at Anfield two weeks ago.
Steven Gerrard is the club's third highest scorer in Europe with 19 goals and only Michael Owen (22) and Ian Rush (20) have scored more.
If Peter Crouch scores again in the Champions League during this campaign he will break the club record for most goals scored in a European Cup season. He has seven, the same tally achieved by Roger Hunt (1964/65) and Steven Gerrard (2005/06).
Bolo Zenden could feature against a former club for the third successive round. He played for Barcelona and PSV before playing for Chelsea between from 2001-03. He scored four times for the Londoners in 59 games in all competitions.
Should he be involved in this game Sami Hyypia could make his 400th appearance for the Reds.
Jermaine Pennant's only goal for the Reds so far came against Chelsea at Anfield in January.
Liverpool have scored 15 hat-tricks in Europe down the years with the last coming in July 2005 when Steven Gerrard scored three against TNS at Anfield.
Only nine Liverpool players have been sent off in the club’s illustrious history. The last was Igor Biscan in Marseille in March 2004.
Since Arsenal scored six at Anfield in the Carling Cup in January Liverpool have conceded just eight goals in 17 games and kept clean sheets in their last four games.
Rafa Benitez's press conference statement
The Reds squad will fly down to London later today ahead of Wednesday's tie and Benitez admits confidence in the camp is high.
"Our idea is to win if possible. Sometimes you have to play counter-attack and sometimes press high, it depends on the situation. But it would be good to score a goal and come away with the win. This is a very good positive situation for us and you have to approach games like this with confidence. We know them, they know us, that is clear and at the end of the day it could be just the small details that make the difference. Chelsea have been champions in this country for the last two years and they are a very strong side, especially at home. Maybe they are a better side than two years ago but we also have more experience now and I think we can do it. I can tell you the players are as hungry for success now as they were two years ago."
"Our idea is to win if possible. Sometimes you have to play counter-attack and sometimes press high, it depends on the situation. But it would be good to score a goal and come away with the win. This is a very good positive situation for us and you have to approach games like this with confidence. We know them, they know us, that is clear and at the end of the day it could be just the small details that make the difference. Chelsea have been champions in this country for the last two years and they are a very strong side, especially at home. Maybe they are a better side than two years ago but we also have more experience now and I think we can do it. I can tell you the players are as hungry for success now as they were two years ago."
Don't miss it for anything in the world. Chelsea Vs Liverpool tonight. Kickoff at 2.45am. Adios. Labels: Champion's League, Chelsea, Liverpool
