Premier League classics: Liverpool v Chelsea
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We’ve had a look back at the Arsenal and Man United rivalry as well as some rip-roaring games between the Gunners and Liverpool too.
But now it’s time for another nostalgic trip down memory lane with some Premier League classic encounters between Liverpool and Chelsea…
October 1997: Liverpool 4-2 Chelsea
This was Patrik Berger’s day as the Liverpool winger bagged a hat-trick in a convincing victory at Anfield.
Berger was in and out of the side during the 1997/98 season but after bagging a first half brace the match ball looked set to be his.
Chelsea were still in the game at the break thanks to a strike from Gianfranco Zola. But after Berger grabbed his third and Robbie Fowler put the game out of reach, an 85th minute Gus Poyet penalty was all in vain.
May 2003: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Final day decider. Both teams entered this last day face off level on points. The reward? Champions League qualification.
When Liverpool skipper Sami Hyypia nodded in a Danny Murphy free-kick on 10 minutes it looked like it could be the Scousers’ day.
But crucially for the Blues, their captain Marcel Desailly directed a Jesper Gronkjaer cross past Jerzy Dudek just three minutes later.
Gronkjaer then turned from provider to goal-scoring hero after he cut in from right to curl a left footed strike into the net.
Claudio Ranieri’s side were at the top table of European football and this would pave the way for incoming owner Roman Abramovich to take the club to new heights.
October 2005: Liverpool 1-4 Chelsea
Chelsea did the double over Liverpool in the league on their way to the title in 2005/06.
Winning at Anfield in any season is seen as a yardstick and Chelsea did that in style with 4-1 dismantling.
Didier Drogba was in sparkling form creating all four goals, including a silky turn past Hyypia for Damien Duff to score Chelsea’s second.
At 1-2 at half time it was all to play for but Jose Mourinho’s side put the Reds to the sword with second half goals from Joe Cole and Geremi.
With both clubs playing each other so regularly during this period, the needle between the pair was becoming more and more apparent.
October 2008: Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
Separated by goal difference only, Liverpool took on a Chelsea side who hadn’t lost at Stamford Bridge for 86 Premier League games – a run dating back to February 2004.
Jose Mourinho was replaced in the Chelsea dugout by Luis Felipe Scolari in 2008/09, but Rafael Benitez got his number on this triumphant Sunday.
Liverpool went ahead after ten minutes when Xabi Alonso’s scuffed effort hit Jose Bosingwa and left Petr Cech stranded.
The Blues heaped pressure on, many of the players didn’t know what it felt like to lose at the Bridge.
But their unbeaten home record had finally gone as Liverpool held on to seal a famous victory.
April 2014: Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea
Jose Mourinho is back to be the scourge of Liverpool again for this April encounter.
Brendan Rodgers had steered Liverpool to within an arm’s length of a first Premier League title. But then Chelsea turned up.
The Blues started with unproven Tomas Kalas in defence and Mark Schwarzer in goal – while Liverpool heroes past and present, Fernando Torres and Mohamad Salah were also in the Chelsea squad.
As Rodgers’ men dominated it was the now infamous slip by captain Steven Gerrard that allowed Demba Ba to score past Simon Mignolet on the stroke of half-time.
Even then, Liverpool only needed a point to keep destiny in their own hands. But Chelsea’s rear-guard remained strong and when Torres squared for Willian to finish on 90 minutes it looked like the beginning of the end for Liverpool.
It sparked joyous celebrations from Mourinho who sprinted up the touchline to celebrate with Chelsea fans.
