Why Liverpool's Champions League elimination is good news for Chelsea

Following Fiorentina’s one nil defeat over Lyon last night, Liverpool were eliminated from the Champions League. There was public weeping on the Kings Road.

Whilst many Chelsea fans will take much amusement from Gerrard, Carragher and Torres being assigned to Europe’s second division this season, there is perhaps an even greater reason to celebrate Liverpool’s elimination: the guarantee that Chelsea won’t draw them in latter stages of the competition.

Liverpool fans can probably take this as a back-handed compliment – their team is probably the last Chelsea fans would want to play in the knockout stages of the Champions League. Chelsea have been drawn against Benitez’s side as a matter of course since 2005: four times in the knockout stages (each side winning through twice) and once in the group stages. The saying goes that familiarity breeds contempt and, as far and Chelsea and Liverpool are concerned, never a truer word has been spoken.

Earlier fixtures in this period were all drab affairs – low on goals, flair and attacking football (but high on referees awarding goals they shouldn’t). In contrast, ties over the last couple of seasons have been high octane thrillers pairing uncharacteristic bad defending with cut-throat finishing. Whichever brand of game the Chelsea and Liverpool Champions League fixtures have thrown up however, there has been one constant: almost unbearable tension. During last year’s quarter final second leg tie – which somehow finished 4-4 – I’m convinced I aged at least several years.

So this year I’m delighted that Liverpool took the matter in their own hands and considerately prevented us from having to through either epic tedium (as was the case when they’ve bested us) or agonising, stomach-turning stress. And it’s a relief also because we’re now presented with a much greater chance of at least playing a different team in Europe: of the 59 Champions League games Chelsea have contested since the 04/05 season, the Blues have faced either Liverpool or Barcelona 18 times. That’s nearly a third of all games. In that time, half of all the knockout ties Chelsea have contested have also been against those sides.

So it’s good that Liverpool are out – at least it could provide us with some variety. Knowing our luck, we’ll probably end up drawing Barcelona in the first knockout stages this year. Me though – I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a trip to the Bernabeu or the San Siro.

Or perhaps you’re starting to miss Liverpool already? For those of you who are disappointed that our annual angst-fest against the Scousers in the Champions League has been cancelled, console yourself with some memories from back in May below.

Comments

[dsy]

yeah, it's good that we're not going to meet Liv again..
it seems that Chelsea's UCL matches I remember always have Liv or Barca.. :p

[Pete]

I say good riddance -

[chelsfan]

i have no sympathy for them...remember reading a chelsea forum aftger the barca game last year and it being invaded with bin-dippers desperate to take the piss.

very glad they are out. and thank god we don't have to got hrough the stress of playing them too - although i'm pretty sure we'd beat them again this year, they look a lot weaker.

[springy]

what is that excellent backing music to the 4-4 video??

[Michael Hepp]

I could not agree with you more! Liverpool is always tough for us in Europe.