Dan Rimmer's Reds Blog

Post #24 - Barclays Premier League Preview - Liverpool v Chelsea

Shortly before I started writing this, former FC Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova sadly passed away at the age of just 45. My condolences to his friends, family and staff at FC Barcelona that worked with him just last season. 

I often wonder why Liverpool make it so hard for themselves sometimes. Remember the cup finals? The golden goal in a 5-4 win against Deportivo Alaves in the UEFA Cup Final in 2001, the penalty shootout against Milan in the 2005 Champions League Final, or maybe penalties against West Ham and Cardiff City in both the FA Cup and Carling Cup Finals in 2006 and 2012 respectively. It sure wasn't an easy watch as the Reds conceded two poor goals in their narrow 3-2 win against Norwich. Eyes of footballing fans and expertise from across the Globe have locked eyes on the attractive football that the Men from Merseyside have been playing throughout the season, while the team themselves have been focusing on getting the three points. Especially at this stage of the season, with just three games to go, the most important thing is the win. But seriously, why always narrow wins? It's going to be a special afternoon on Sunday, with some saying the atmosphere could beat that in the Champions League Semi-Finals in 2005 and 2007, as the Reds bid for their 12th consecutive victory in the League and their first League title in 24 years. 

I will start this one by talking about our opponents in Sunday's Anfield encounter, Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. It has been a season of mixed emotions for Blues, still in the title race and a second leg of the Semi-Final in this seasons UEFA Champions League against Atletico Madrid. The question everyone is asking is - which one? We all know what the man from Portugal is like ever since he stepped foot into the Stamford Bridge Press Conference room in the Summer of 2004 - a winner. "I want to play a weaker side on Sunday" were the cries of the former Inter and Real Madrid boss after the score draw in the Spanish capital on Tuesday. Here's another question, do Chelsea have a 'weaker side'?

The London Club's Billionaire owner Roman Abramovic has invested largely in the squad over the past 11 years and this season has invested in a side which you could argue is the side with the most strength in depth in Europe. Who would you class as their 'B' team? It is hugely disrespectful to the players of which Mourinho hinted at, but whoever they put out there will give us a game. I am now reminded of what happened a couple of seasons ago when Chelsea defeated the Reds in the FA Cup Final back in May 2012, and were just days away from a Champions League Final in Munich. Roberto Di Matteo's side fielded a 'weakened' team in a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in order to keep their best players fit for their European duel with FC Bayern Munchen. Deja vu? They need to somehow bounce back after a shock defeat to rock bottom club Sunderland at the Bridge. A win for the Reds would mean that the West London side could not mathematically make up enough points to win the Barclays Premier League title. Chelsea are without Ramires, Terry and Cech for this one, which has to make the 2010 winners' task of points in L4 much harder.

Seven points from nine are all Liverpool require to win the League. Just think about the next game. Don't think about Palace. Don't think about Newcastle. It all seems a bit unreal but we really are at the final stretch. Heading towards the Melling Road. On last legs. But the Redmen don't play like they are on their last legs. Full of energy more than anything. You could say a new motivation in Champions League football next season, but the players themselves don't need any motivating, just go out and play. Brendan Rodgers' words were rather interesting in the Pre Match Press Conference at Melwood -

"I've got a great group of players. People are talking about the pressure; you see our players, they are really enjoying their football. I'm enjoying being at the top of the league - it's absolutely wonderful. There's no pressure with it. People talk about not enjoying it and not sleeping at night...I haven't slept better! It's absolutely great, it's why we work. I see the joy in the players in training and there's no anxiety. You saw last week how we played. It's good to be involved in. The only way you get the experience is by going through it, win or lose. Whatever happens with us this season, we'll have had a brilliant season. And we'll look to sustain that and build on it again next year - wherever we finish."

The fire power up front may return in the form of Daniel Sturridge, with the England international looking to appear in Sunday's game. But it may seem as if Liverpool are gaining more and more attacking power as Raheem Sterling continues to rise. The 19 year old has opened the scoring for his side in the last two - against Man City and Norwich - and another goal to get the Reds off the mark once again would continue to delight Rodgers and the supporters.

It's been a brilliant season whatever happens, but for now we continue to try and turn dreams into reality. Liverpool v Chelsea live at Anfield on Sunday, Kick Off is 2.05pm. It is live on Sky Sports 1, 1HD and Sky 3D.