A boisterous and sold out away allocation at Stamford Bridge didn’t trouble themselves with semantics on Tuesday night, preferring to bellow their approval of all things Red and disdain for all things Blue. Kenny had spoken before the game of the crowd and players working as one against Man City on Sunday and this was a take over of West London by the travelling fans and visiting players alike.
Dalglish made seven changes from the team that had stretched the league leaders at the weekend and those that came into the team all contributed to a performance that fundamentally neutered Chelsea before dispatching them from a competition that the Reds have excelled in so far.
Craig Bellamy, who shed tears for Gary Speed prior to kick off, assumed, in the absence of Luis Suarez, the responsibility for unlocking the home defence. He was to play a vital role in both goals but the first real opportunity fell to, or more correctly, was seized by Andy Carroll. On the twenty-second minute, and after protracted deliberation, Phil Dowd pointed to the spot after Alex cleared Enrique’s cross with his arm. Carroll grabbed the ball and placed it on the spot. He may have wished he hadn’t as his shot down the middle was not hard or sufficiently high enough to avoid Turnball’s trailing leg as he dived to his right. Carroll to his credit did not drop his head and continued to work hard for the side and his hold up play, while not spectacular, was tidy and accurate for the rest of the game. He is clearly an unfinished article but his attitude was excellent throughout and he obviously retains the manager’s support. If he starts adding a greater threat in and around the box to his willingness to chase back and work for the team (the influence of Ian Rush?) then he will prove his doubter’s wrong.
The first half played out without further incident but there was neat interchange play between Maxi, Bellamy, Henderson and Spearing that promised more to come and Chelsea were unable to impose themselves. The home side made a brighter start to the second half and ten minutes in Malouda scuffed a shot onto the bar before Coates blocked the follow up from Luiz. Minutes later the game turned as Henderson’s perfectly weighted ball released Bellamy on the right and the Welshman picked out Maxi’s run to the far post, handing the Argentine the opportunity to slot home. Five minute’s later Bellamy won a free kick on the left and his curled cross found an unmarked Martin Kelly in the box and the youngster nodded home his first goal for the club.
From this point on the game was over as a contest and Liverpool controlled the pace and apart from one half chance for Anelka Chelsea carried no threat. It was not a game for the purist, though before the goals it contained the tension that is always present when top teams meet in the cup. It was, however, a great watch for Liverpool supporters as the squad players responded to the opportunity to impress. Coates, mentored throughout by Jamie Carragher was composed and exhibited the physical strength to suggest he will be a feature of the side in years to come. Jay Spearing gave a fighting performance that should at least calm some nerves if Lucas’s injury rules him out for a lengthy spell (and Shelvey’s recall from loan suggests it might be). Maxi once again demonstrated that he is an intelligent footballer with an eye for goal, Martin Kelly reinforced his claim for a starting place and Bellamy proved what a shrewd signing he is.
This competition has handed Liverpool tricky or tough away fixtures in every round so far but whatever team has been selected the determination and quality of the performance has been outstanding. The two-legged semi final offers a potential meeting with either of the Manchester clubs and most likely the other in the final if the draw falls that way. If the League Cup ends up in the Anfield trophy cabinet this season it will have been won the hard way.