So, the final..
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I think it's a toss up. With Henderson in there we'd keep possession more. But do fuck all with it. I think I'd rather see Shelvey start. That'll mean all spearing has to do will be to sit there and protect that back 4, and he'll be less inclined to try and take any responsibility of getting plays moving.
After his last game I only wanna see him hassling players and moving it on to the closet man.
After his last game I only wanna see him hassling players and moving it on to the closet man.
I very much doubt kuyt will start this game.
FA Cup final: Liverpool and Chelsea resume rivalry
By Ben Smith BBC Sport
The more Liverpool and Chelsea play each other, the more they seem to discover they simply do not get on.
The FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday promises to be another landmark occasion - north v south, red v blue, the aristocrats versus the arrivistes.
Incredibly, it will be the 31st meeting between the clubs in the past eight seasons.
While the rivalry may lack the spite of Liverpool versus Manchester United or the history of the Merseyside derby, familiarity has literally bred contempt over the past decade.
Few are better placed than former Liverpool forward Luis Garcia to discuss this modern-day malevolence between two of England's great clubs.
The zenith came on a balmy May night at Anfield in 2005. It was a night when Liverpool beat Chelsea 1-0 to reach their first European Cup final for 20 years, a night when Garcia scored a goal that former Blues manager Jose Mourinho still talks about.
At the time 30 points separated the sides in the table. Chelsea had won both league matches and lifted the Carling Cup at Liverpool's expense. To add further spice Steven Gerrard was giving serious thought to joining Mourinho's revolution.
At kick-off a banner on the Kop read "make us dream" - four minutes into the match Garcia did just that. "They called it the ghost goal, I don't know why. It was in, it was in. I've always known that, it was over the line." Garcia told BBC Sport.
"There was a tension, the clubs didn't get on but to hear Mourinho still talks about it is incredible. It must still hurt.
"It was probably the greatest night of my career. That and the final in Istanbul , of course. There was a magic at Anfield that night. Something I have not felt before, or since. I miss the city and the club."
Chelsea captain John Terry openly admitted he cried in the dressing room after the final whistle. On his next visit to Anfield the former England captain felt a shiver go down his spine. It was, he said, like returning to a room full of ghosts.
The exchanges between Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and Mourinho marked the most explosive period in the feud. "We were good friends until we started beating them," recalls Benitez. "Jose was only friends with the managers he beat."
Mourinho refused to acknowledge any tension existed, however. "There was no rivalry. We met them on big occasions but they were just another team. I have no special feeling."
Garcia tells a very different story. "They were fantastic occasions and it always felt like something important was at stake, you could sense that in the dressing room before the matches," he said.
"They were the team to beat at the time. They had spent a lot of money and had a fantastic side. But we knew we had something on them. There was always a great atmosphere and I loved playing in those games, we all did.
"They felt a little different during those years. Special games."
Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen agrees. "Whatever was said publicly the games against Liverpool were different," he told BBC Sport. "Different for the players and fans, you could sense that. There was a unique intensity about them."
Gudjohnsen was in the side when the modern rivalry began on the final day of the 2002-03 season.
The sides had met on important occasions as far back as the FA Cup semi-final of 1965 when Bill Shankly's unsophisticates from the north lanced the cor-blimey arrogance of a talented young Chelsea side led by Terry Venables and Ron Harris.
There were moments in 1978 and 1997 when contests took on a significance that lifted their clashes above the ordinary. But it was not until May 2003 that the rivalry as we know it today began in anger.
With a Champions League place at stake and future owner Roman Abramovich lurking in the shadows, Jesper Gronkjaer scored the winner as Chelsea fought back from a goal down. The Russian bought the club, the rest is history.
Only two players involved that day are expected to start at Wembley - Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard (Jamie Carragher is likely to be named among the substitutes). Their battles have come to epitomise the highs and lows of the rivalry. One or both were named in the PFA team of the year every season from 2003 to 2009 - neither has made the past two XIs.
Gerrard will forever be revered on Merseyside for his loyalty when Chelsea and the money came calling in the summer of 2005. Lampard has won seven trophies with Chelsea since then, Gerrard only three.
Neither man is in his pomp, but both will need to have an influence if their side is to prevail on Saturday.
Fernando Torres, who could not resist the lure of Chelsea, may also have a say against his old club.
The clash of cultures on the field will be one aspect but the differences among the supporters are just as stark.
"Chelsea were basically pretty rubbish for a long time," Tim Rolls, of Chelsea fanzine CFCUK, said.
"In the last 10 years we have been far more successful. Liverpool are obsessed with singing about history but we feel it is time for them to move on.
"I know they won four European Cups in the 70s and 80s but apart from one night in Istanbul they have struggled.
"There is a tension between the clubs, an edge, some antagonism. We had a small minority of fans who let themselves and the club down during the minute's silence at Wembley to remember the Hillsborough disaster.
"That isn't a reflection of us, but it is fair to say this will always be a big game for us, a rivalry."
The next chapter will be written at Wembley on Saturday. If recent history is anything to go by, it will be one not to miss.
By Ben Smith BBC Sport
The more Liverpool and Chelsea play each other, the more they seem to discover they simply do not get on.
The FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday promises to be another landmark occasion - north v south, red v blue, the aristocrats versus the arrivistes.
Incredibly, it will be the 31st meeting between the clubs in the past eight seasons.
While the rivalry may lack the spite of Liverpool versus Manchester United or the history of the Merseyside derby, familiarity has literally bred contempt over the past decade.
Few are better placed than former Liverpool forward Luis Garcia to discuss this modern-day malevolence between two of England's great clubs.
The zenith came on a balmy May night at Anfield in 2005. It was a night when Liverpool beat Chelsea 1-0 to reach their first European Cup final for 20 years, a night when Garcia scored a goal that former Blues manager Jose Mourinho still talks about.
At the time 30 points separated the sides in the table. Chelsea had won both league matches and lifted the Carling Cup at Liverpool's expense. To add further spice Steven Gerrard was giving serious thought to joining Mourinho's revolution.
At kick-off a banner on the Kop read "make us dream" - four minutes into the match Garcia did just that. "They called it the ghost goal, I don't know why. It was in, it was in. I've always known that, it was over the line." Garcia told BBC Sport.
"There was a tension, the clubs didn't get on but to hear Mourinho still talks about it is incredible. It must still hurt.
"It was probably the greatest night of my career. That and the final in Istanbul , of course. There was a magic at Anfield that night. Something I have not felt before, or since. I miss the city and the club."
Chelsea captain John Terry openly admitted he cried in the dressing room after the final whistle. On his next visit to Anfield the former England captain felt a shiver go down his spine. It was, he said, like returning to a room full of ghosts.
The exchanges between Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and Mourinho marked the most explosive period in the feud. "We were good friends until we started beating them," recalls Benitez. "Jose was only friends with the managers he beat."
Mourinho refused to acknowledge any tension existed, however. "There was no rivalry. We met them on big occasions but they were just another team. I have no special feeling."
Garcia tells a very different story. "They were fantastic occasions and it always felt like something important was at stake, you could sense that in the dressing room before the matches," he said.
"They were the team to beat at the time. They had spent a lot of money and had a fantastic side. But we knew we had something on them. There was always a great atmosphere and I loved playing in those games, we all did.
"They felt a little different during those years. Special games."
Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen agrees. "Whatever was said publicly the games against Liverpool were different," he told BBC Sport. "Different for the players and fans, you could sense that. There was a unique intensity about them."
Gudjohnsen was in the side when the modern rivalry began on the final day of the 2002-03 season.
The sides had met on important occasions as far back as the FA Cup semi-final of 1965 when Bill Shankly's unsophisticates from the north lanced the cor-blimey arrogance of a talented young Chelsea side led by Terry Venables and Ron Harris.
There were moments in 1978 and 1997 when contests took on a significance that lifted their clashes above the ordinary. But it was not until May 2003 that the rivalry as we know it today began in anger.
With a Champions League place at stake and future owner Roman Abramovich lurking in the shadows, Jesper Gronkjaer scored the winner as Chelsea fought back from a goal down. The Russian bought the club, the rest is history.
Only two players involved that day are expected to start at Wembley - Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard (Jamie Carragher is likely to be named among the substitutes). Their battles have come to epitomise the highs and lows of the rivalry. One or both were named in the PFA team of the year every season from 2003 to 2009 - neither has made the past two XIs.
Gerrard will forever be revered on Merseyside for his loyalty when Chelsea and the money came calling in the summer of 2005. Lampard has won seven trophies with Chelsea since then, Gerrard only three.
Neither man is in his pomp, but both will need to have an influence if their side is to prevail on Saturday.
Fernando Torres, who could not resist the lure of Chelsea, may also have a say against his old club.
The clash of cultures on the field will be one aspect but the differences among the supporters are just as stark.
"Chelsea were basically pretty rubbish for a long time," Tim Rolls, of Chelsea fanzine CFCUK, said.
"In the last 10 years we have been far more successful. Liverpool are obsessed with singing about history but we feel it is time for them to move on.
"I know they won four European Cups in the 70s and 80s but apart from one night in Istanbul they have struggled.
"There is a tension between the clubs, an edge, some antagonism. We had a small minority of fans who let themselves and the club down during the minute's silence at Wembley to remember the Hillsborough disaster.
"That isn't a reflection of us, but it is fair to say this will always be a big game for us, a rivalry."
The next chapter will be written at Wembley on Saturday. If recent history is anything to go by, it will be one not to miss.
I fancy us to win in extra-time.
Nah, 2-1 in the 90. Late winner by Stevie G. We've missed those.
Chelsea will almost certainly play with one player up top - it'll either be a 4-5-1 or their 4-3-3 with Ramires & Mata flanking Drogba. This allows them retreat into a defensive shape when they're not in possession. It'd be a massive surprise if they go with two out & out strikers, they'd compromise their solidity in the middle that way & I see Di Matteo's first priority being trying to keep things tight.
If they're not going to be playing 2 strikers, then it won't make sense for us to play 3 centre backs, we'd be under utilising our resources that way by having a centre back who does nothing for large periods of the game (just like we saw in the game against Stoke at Anfield earlier in the season).
They will play a direct game, trying to get the ball forward to Drogba quickly, so Skrtel & Agger (I hope they start ahead of Carra) will have to be ready to deal with the quick long balls & crosses. The other thrust of their game will be to counter attack down the flanks with Ramires (or Kalou if/when he comes on) being the major weapon here.
Since we tend to play a possession based game & try to pass the ball around with our aim being to draw the opponent out of shape in order to exploit it, I'm expecting them to be quite compact & not allowing us space in the middle. So, we'll have to station one of our wide men near the touch line & try to stretch their defence.
I hope we pick a 4-3-3 with these players:
Reina
Johnson
Skrtel
Agger
Enrique
Spearing
Gerrard
Henderson
Suarez
Bellamy
Carroll
If they're not going to be playing 2 strikers, then it won't make sense for us to play 3 centre backs, we'd be under utilising our resources that way by having a centre back who does nothing for large periods of the game (just like we saw in the game against Stoke at Anfield earlier in the season).
They will play a direct game, trying to get the ball forward to Drogba quickly, so Skrtel & Agger (I hope they start ahead of Carra) will have to be ready to deal with the quick long balls & crosses. The other thrust of their game will be to counter attack down the flanks with Ramires (or Kalou if/when he comes on) being the major weapon here.
Since we tend to play a possession based game & try to pass the ball around with our aim being to draw the opponent out of shape in order to exploit it, I'm expecting them to be quite compact & not allowing us space in the middle. So, we'll have to station one of our wide men near the touch line & try to stretch their defence.
I hope we pick a 4-3-3 with these players:
Reina
Johnson
Skrtel
Agger
Enrique
Spearing
Gerrard
Henderson
Suarez
Bellamy
Carroll
I am worried about the Wembley clash. The two games there seem to have been slow starts for us. The size of the field is bigger than we are used too, and the intimacy is not there as we are used too. We look a bit lost out there. Only the second half against Everton really seemed to have some good pass and move in the team. A slow start against Chavs and we will be wounded badly. I trust Suarez to bring this home!!!!
We're one gay ass club.
So you actually read the posts ;-)
only the gay stuff.
Alright, got my wrap of speed for this (1am Melbourne time), and I'm forcing my wife to watch it with me.
The last match I made her watch with me was Istanbul. Actually come to think of it, my eldest son was 4 months old then and woke up for the penalties. Fuck it, if it goes to penalties this time he's getting woken up. With spiders if necessary.
Anyhoo, my point to all this was that we are going to win.
BRING IT THE FUCK ON
The last match I made her watch with me was Istanbul. Actually come to think of it, my eldest son was 4 months old then and woke up for the penalties. Fuck it, if it goes to penalties this time he's getting woken up. With spiders if necessary.
Anyhoo, my point to all this was that we are going to win.
BRING IT THE FUCK ON
Was gonna say coke would be better (less nervous paranoia than the speed!), but in Oz I believe it's very hard to get hold off at a decent price.
It's always astonishing to realise the things our global fans put up with, esp watching matches at stupid o'clock!
Great post, agree completely.
Trivia: On all three occasions Liverpool had beaten Everton in an FA Cup semi-final before this season, the Reds went on to lose the final.
Stats: Excluding the Community Shield, Didier Drogba has scored in all seven of his matches at Wembley. Suarez has scored in all three of his FA Cup appearances for the Reds.
Odds: Chelsea are favourites at bet365 at odds of 2.40, with Liverpool at 3.00. Fancy extra time? Then 3.25 is your price.
Prediction: This is a match that will be won the Liverpool way - on penalties, as they have won their last three major trophies. This time, however, Chelsea will be the victors. Will John Terry take one?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview/_/id/340950?cc=3888
the game's not at Anfield which is great news...so we'll walk all over Chelsea!!
Stats: Excluding the Community Shield, Didier Drogba has scored in all seven of his matches at Wembley. Suarez has scored in all three of his FA Cup appearances for the Reds.
Odds: Chelsea are favourites at bet365 at odds of 2.40, with Liverpool at 3.00. Fancy extra time? Then 3.25 is your price.
Prediction: This is a match that will be won the Liverpool way - on penalties, as they have won their last three major trophies. This time, however, Chelsea will be the victors. Will John Terry take one?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview/_/id/340950?cc=3888
the game's not at Anfield which is great news...so we'll walk all over Chelsea!!
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