Just three days after Liverpool were defeated 2 – 1 by Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup final, the Reds hit back beating the Londoners 4 – 1 at Anfield. This loss means that Chelsea can no longer finish any higher than sixth meaning no European football for the Blues this season!
Chelsea interim manager Roberto Di Matteo elected to field a weakened side, omitting many of the players that help defeat Liverpool at Wembley; but that doesn’t take away from the Liverpool performance, but probably contributed to the scoreline. Liverpool’s first goal was a fortuitous one; Michael Essien deflecting Luis Suarez’ cross into his own net in the 19th minute. Jordan Henderson doubled the lead in the 25th minute from the edge of the 18 yard box. Daniel Agger made it 3 – 0 in the 28th minute with a close range header while Stewart Downing missed from the penalty spot in first half added time, Liverpool’s fifth penalty miss, the first Premiership team to miss five!
Ramires did pull one back for Chelsea five minutes after half time, but any hopes of a fightback were dashed in the 61st minute when Jonjo Shelvey unleashed a 30 yard rocket after Ross Turnbull’s mishit clearance landed at his feet. It could have been six if it weren’t for Downing hitting the woodwork twice, once from the penalty spot and again with a dipping 20-yard shot.
Despite this win, it has still been a poor season by Liverpool’s own standards; let’s hope that the Reds can secure a win at Swansea on Sunday, which hopefully will push Liverpool above the blue side of Merseyside in the league, Everton face the in-form Newcastle United on the same day.