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Dear Sir Alex...
Please can I have Michael Essien for Christmas.
Mark aged 24 and 3/4
Putting An Argument To Bed
Surely last night settles the debate of who is better, Gerrard or Lampard? The answer is clearly Essien.
Chris (did Malouda actually play well?), SW London
We Was Robbed
In the wake of my utter disbelief I have a question: Who was the imposter wearing Florent Malouda's shirt last night and will UEFA disqualify Chelsea for fielding a ringer?
Rob (eating humble pie for breakfast) Stevens
Prepare To Lose Some Weight, Ray
That was simply magnificent! How is this Ivanovic lad second in the pecking order to Bosingwa? I am starting a hunger strike until Hiddink signs a permanent deal.
Ray 'feeling pretty bad for Paulo Ferrera' Noori
Lampard Weird And Other Things
Last night was our (Chelsea's) best performance of the season. Just shows what a difference Hiddink has made.We dominated possession for most of the match except the last twenty minutes. Everyone played brilliantly. A few comments on last night's action :
1. Liverpool clearly missed the dominating presence of Mascherano made all the more evident by the hopeless performance by Lucas.
2. Florent Malouda and Branislav Ivanovic had the best games of their Chelsea careers. Malouda's drive enabled Chelsea to hit top gear in the first 25 minutes of the second half.
3. Salomon Kalou absolutely castrated Fabio Aurelio. His hard work often goes unnoticed. And who says he doesn't have skill ! That shimmy in the first half was magnificent!
4. What exactly was Benitez thinking when he put Dossena on? Ok Aurelio was getting humiliated but surely he could have introduced Babel earlier followed by N'gog. I know that N'gog is inexperienced but he could'nt have performed worse than Dossena.
5. Quite obviously, Liverpool need to work on their defending from corners. The zonal marking never worked for Chelsea during Scolari's reign and was rightly abolished by Hiddink.
6. Lampard was behaving quite weirdly at times.
Hopefully we'll complete the job next week.
Nikhil N (Ecstatic Chelsea fan)
Liverpool Fan Now Rooting For United
I've got no complaints about the result. It's one of those strange matches where I don't feel particularly angry or let down by the players because I'm aware that we were completely outclassed tactically tonight.
In all of his time at Liverpool, Didier Drogba has been the one player who Benitez has never been able to subdue. He's the only player who has seriously had the better of Hyypia in his ten years at the club, last year he responded in heart-breaking fashion to Benitez's mind games and tonight he had the better of the Skrtel - Carragher combination. The trouble he causes in our defence is amazing, and we should be thankful that he wasn't as clinical as he should have been tonight.
Drogba was just playing his usual game against Liverpool though, the real tactical masterstroke was having Essien man-mark Gerrard. Essien is the best player in Chelsea's squad and he utterly dominated Gerrard tonight. The problem for Liverpool is that if you dominate Gerrard, then Torres' effectiveness is also halved as it is in tandem that the two work best.
I expect Essien to mark Gerrard again at Stamford Bridge. The only way I see to combat this is playing Gerrard on the right, with Benayoun filling the hole behind Torres and Kuyt being dropped (through no fault of his own). That would either drag Essien out wide to cover Gerrard and exposing space in the centre, or leave space for Gerrard down the flank.
Realistically though, we are out of Europe. I now find myself in the disgusting position of hoping that United beat Porto because that represents our best chance in the league. I think Barca will win the Champions League anyway, but if we can focus solely on the league whilst a struggling United squad are stretched over three competitions, we might be in with a shout.
Seamus B
It's All This Fella's Fault
It is to my upmost dismay to inform you, but the shellacking we received last night at the hands of Chelsea may well have been caused by the selling of my soul.
You see, a few weeks ago, when the draws were announced, I made a pact with my scummy, Chelski loving roommate that if we gave them the Champions League then we would get the Prem. in exchange.
We were in third place at the time and I was desperate.
My apologies...
Kieran 'Don't blame me, you know you'd do the same' McBride
PS. Rhe good news is that it all seems to be working...
Outplayed And No Excuses
This is the first time I send any sort of letter to the f365 mailbox, but I felt the need to. Chelsea today showed what Liverpool usually show in the Champions League. Heart and decisiveness. Up until before their equaliser in the first half we had them. We should have put them to bed, for they have far too much experience in playing us since this is the trillionth time we play them. If the score went to 2-0 the Reds would've turned on the show and dominated just like the Madrid match. But if is a wicked word, if did not happen.
The defence was having one of their worst matches in years. I honestly don't know how a professional football team can leave a man as average-sized as Ivanovic unmarked not only once, but TWICE. Even the third goal, the initial run down the flank should have been stopped. But they say if football was perfect there would be no goals, meaning goals come from mistakes.
What's next? A 3-0 win at Chelski? Highly unlikely. But given the season English football is having, you never write off anyone or anything. Hats off to chelsea, respect for the fans who stayed to sing You'll Never Walk Alone despite the 3-1 scoreline at home in the 89th minute.
Ash, Liverpool
...As much as it hurts to admit it, Liverpool were beaten by a team who were better on the night. No excuses, no moaning, not feeling sorry for myself. Chelsea played very well and deserved their win.
In a way it might benefit us by only having the league to go for now, as Old Rednose said, and its not often I agree with that smarmy bas***d!
Phillip Ward
...Well done to Chelsea for completely out-performing us last night. They inflicted on Liverpool a tactical and physical schooling not at all dissimilar to that which Pool dealt to United a month ago. And like then, the eventual scoreline actually flattered the home side.
I can only hope that we recover better from this spanking than the Mancs have.
Fair dues Chelsea, you were awesome. Thoroughly deserved.
Dave (0-3 at the Bridge anyone? Just me, then) McCarthy
...So it's not over - but it's very, very close.
We started brilliantly. And that's about all I can say for my team. After that, Chelsea were so much better than us in every area of the field that the only good thing is that (largely thanks to Drogba missing three one-on-ones with Pep) they didn't score as many as their superiority deserved, which means that there is at least a tiny thread of hope left for the second leg (Istanbul? Anyone? Anyone? No? You're probably right...).
Our defending for the first two goals was inexcusable, but all the rest of the credit has to go to Chelsea, and to the work that Hiddink has done with that side since he took over. He's the best manager in the world for a reason, and I only wish he hadn't decided to prove it against my boys. The only two crumbs of comfort are that if/when we go out we can hopefully push Man U all the way in the league, and that thankfully 99% of teams don't have a holding midfielder as good as Essien, because the job he did on Gerrard was frightening.
Bring on Blackburn, and then the second leg. It should be a spectacle, if nothing else.
Will (shellshocked LFC fan)
...Many talking points out of tonight's match. Let's get one thing clear from the off, Liverpool were pretty bad (particularly defensively) but Chelsea were hardly brilliant. Two goals from set pieces, something that has been Liverpool's weakness for a majority of the season (Cahill at Anfield anyone?) Rafa claims zonal marking was not at fault, and he was dead right, Alonso missed Ivanovic for the first one, and Gerrard was even worse with his fresh swing for the second.
Liverpool also definitely had their chances, Torres really should have scored with the chip in the first half (good to see Fat Frank giving up possession, England's finest midfielder according to his mate Malouda) and the left footer over the bar. All in all we didn't turn up tonight, it was as if after the first goal we had an air of arrogance that we would run away with it, ala Real and Manure. The main difference tonight was the performance of Lucas and the suspension of Mascherano. If Lucas is not the worst player at a big four team, then Dossena is. A centre midfielder who cannot hold the ball, cannot shoot and gave the ball away time and time again. Defensively he was found out and did not cover the ground, nor mark the space that Mascherano does so brilliantly.
Two people won it for Chelsea tonight, Essien and Hiddink. Being Aussie we saw how brilliant Hiddink was at coming in, assessing players and situations. Tonight he used Essien brilliantly, ensuring he blocked Gerrard's space and runs, forcing us to attack from wide positions. This also ensured Torres was almost a no show, hardly touching the ball in the second half.
This result would be devastating, given it is against Chelski in a quarter final, had it not been for our league position. I think that also sums up the mentality of the players. Well played Chelsea, enjoy your trip to Barca (chortle chortle)
Sunil (Get on the odds for a Barca vs Arse final), LFC, Melbourne
Some Quick (Well, Not that Quick) Points
Just a quick one from a Liverpool fan...
1. Absolutely fantastic performance from Chelsea, who fully deserved their victory.
2. Its not all bad for Liverpool; not all teams can do that against us (in fact, they're probably the only team) and it's not like we got hammered, we missed a couple of good chances ourselves.
2. Istanbul and all that...you just never know.
4. Can anyone else remember when Rafa was out-thought and out-tactically played in Europe? Thought not, full credit to Hiddink who has proved himself as one of the top managers in the world.
5. Was anyone else just a little bit disappointed that Gerrard, wonderful player though he is, didn't have the nous to try and pull Essien around the pitch and try to at least make them think a bit - we were very fixed in our tactics which made it easier than it could have been for Essien and the rest of their defensive line.
6. This is not an excuse for the result, but it is scary if he is one of the top four referees in Europe. He was five yards (at best) off the pace and his linesmen (deliberately not labelling them assistant referees as they did bugger all assisting) were shocking. High kudos to the referee at Old Trafford on Tuesday however, who was excellent.
7. Blackburn on Saturday is now our most important game of the season - can we get back to the confident, win-at-all-costs form we have displayed recently?
8. Sorry, not as quick as I initially thought.
Michael Byrne, Rochdale
...Have to say 3-1 was an accurate reflection of the game. Liverpool were poor, Chelsea were good.
Few points that stood out for me:
1. Defending at set pieces. I'm sure zonal marking will get the blame, but the issue is Liverpool players not attacking the ball, and not picking up Chelsea players when they come into their 'zone'.
2. Lack of support/service for the lone striker. Torres got poor service, and the attacking midfield three of Riera, Gerrard and Kuyt did not get close enough to him, and did not make runs past him. This makes it very easy to defend against.
3. Poor organisation at the back. The back four got dragged all over the place by Chelsea's movement, the two holding midfielders didn't provide adequate cover. Too often Chelsea midfielders had time to turn, look up, and pick a pass. How Mascherano was missed.
4. Gerrard was anonymous. Lucas will inevitably be the scapegoat, but I can't remember the last time Stevie had such little influence in a match. Well done Mr Essien on that front.
We scored 4 at Man U, so who knows...
Al
Liverpool Rubbish, Fans Were Great
Well done, Chelsea, that was quite the performance, full credit to you. We didn't show up (except for Reina) and the selection was dreadful with Aurelio just back from injury effectively thrown to the wolves behind Riera. Alonso had the worst match he has had in some time, and actually managed to stand out as poor in a match in which every player was terrible but the keeper.
Best fans in the world, singing the club for the last seven minutes despite a hammering. Tears in my eyes. Contrast that with those lout glory-hunters at Old Trafford, half empty Tuesday while still being drawn. Losers. I'll take us anyday, thanks.
Come on, Everton - HIDE those plastic phonies in the FA Cup and we'll do them in the league. (Porto obviously to take them out of Europe...)
At least it's beginning of the end of the line for ManU's reign.
YNWA
Scott, LFC, Toronto
...Hi. Jut letting you know that on the s****y TV in my student lounge, surrounded by idiots and their calculus homework and some guy using the blender in the next room, I could hear every word of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.
Our performance was horrible. Our fans were not.
Parmesh 'that was probably Skrtel's worst game for us all season' Singh, Oberlin
The Belief Is Ebbing Away
I'm a Liverpool fan and like most Liverpool fans I've been quietly getting more hopeful over the last few weeks, apparently irresistible form, great results and top sides being put to the sword. All in all, great entertainment and it's felt like we've really had some purpose. However, I have to say that after last night's performance I'm no longer quite so hopeful. Let's be totally honest, Liverpool were grim. I mean poor. As bad as I've seen us this year.
If that's as much as Lucas wants to be a Liverpool player then I don't care how much potential he's got, get shot. As for Riera, when the lad arrived at the club, I actually thought we might have a player on our hands, however, I've now realised he's a bowls player, so possibly having him starting on the left might not be the best idea. Also, every time I think Aurelio might look like he knows what he's doing he has an absolute stinker and the feeling recedes. Rapidly.
Quite frankly, I'm disappointed but not massively surprised, although losing to that f*****g carthorse Terry (fair challenge on the keeper my cleft) always annoys. Chelsea deserved it, they played us off our own park but it would've been nice if the real Liverpool team had bothered to show up rather than send their doppelgangers. We've got buckleys of getting through now but I hope we can at least give Chelsea a dose of their own medicine at Stamford Bridge.
Matt (thank the football gods I'm off until Tues next week) LFC
Maybe Defeat Is A Good Thing...
Well played Chelsea. They thoroughly deserved the win and it was a good game of football played in the right spirit. I don't even feel that p***ed off that we lost, partly because there was none of the bad-tempered posturing or histrionics that are often seen in these games, but mostly because I feel that the extra rest we'll get if, as expected, they finish the job on Tuesday might just prove decisive in the title race.
Man Utd have eight games in the period between now and May 5th (if they beat Porto which I fully expect them to), while Liverpool will only have five. With midweek fixtures and fatigue piling up, one high-pressure game after another and their form not exactly incandescent, Utd could well take their eye off the ball in a so-called lesser league game with a crunch CL semi at the Emirates round the corner. And if they do, it looks like Liverpool will have nothing better to do than to concentrate on punishing them for it.
So if we do go out, it's a shame but not to worry, we have bigger fish to fry. But I'm not writing Liverpool off just yet.
Jon (missing Mascherano), LFC
Wanting To Redefine Heroism
I'm starting to become thoroughly fed up with the casual bandying about of heroism theses days, which probably reached its nadir last night in the Chelsea - Liverpool game when a clearance off the line was met with a ludicrously over the top:
'and that was heroic defending from Jamie Carragher'.
No. No it wasn't. It was good defending, committed defending, but the sort of tracking back and clearing that is expected of a decent centre-back.
I understand that what I'm asking for here is a bit of perspective from a commentator and that it's a rather Cnutian exercise (no, that's not a typo) on my behalf, especially for a game that had attracted the obligatory tag of Battle of Britain, but it still bugs the s*** out of me.
Good game though.
Ian Childs
Now Being A United Fan Doesn't Seem SO Bad...
To all those fantastically-egotistical Liverpool fans who tutted and mocked their way through yesterday with regardes to Man Utd's 'pitiful' 2-2 draw at home to Porto I say this - I'd rather draw 2-2 at home and actually stand a chance, than get stuffed 3-1 and wave good bye for another year. I hope they like eggs because they have, all of them, got quite a lot of it on their smug little faces this morning. I believe Liverpool may need to ring Chelsea in the morning and ask the where-abouts of Steven Gerrard as Michael Essien may have fogotten to take him out of his pocket before boarding the team bus...(sorry, couldn't help that...)
John B from Dublin (a Liverpool fan for what it's worth) hit the nail on the head regarding our slump in form. The talent may be there but what's missing is the work ethic and attitude. Nice to see he's not subscribed to the usual line of 'Ronaldo's over-rated, Rooney's fat, Carrick's sh*t, Fletcher is w*nk, Vidic is rubbish, Neville is a citizen' etc type of abuse that usually comes from an LFC supporter. Thank you John, a level head amongst the madding crowd.
Muchos gracias et adios
Harry Boulton, Manchester
...So...What's better - 2-2 at home or a 3-1 defeat?
Ed (insert witty bracket remark here) Weatherall, Manchester
How Warm Are Rafa's Cockles Now?
Sarah Winterburn wrote, of Man Utd after the Man Utd v Porto QF: 'This game may not have been worth Premier League points, but it will have wiped out all the confidence created by that comeback and warmed the cockles of Benitez and all those who support the Mersey men who would be kings.'
What temperature would she estimate Rafa's 'cockles' are at now, then? Using a patented 'cockleometer' presumably.
Chov
What A Week For The Neutrals
I know you can only print what people send in to you, but I'm begging you - please don't print a mailbox full of Man Utd and Liverpool fans bickering amongst themselves. It's boring, its been going on for the past month, and I imagine it's turning the vast majority of readers off the mailbox feature.
So, on a cheery note, I would just like to say that as a neutral, how much I've enjoyed the games over the past two nights. I, along with everyone else, was dreading another Liverpool/Chelsea borefest, but that was a t'riffic game of football.
Finally, if I see one person writing in to complain about Liverpool's zonal marking system, I am going to throw my computer out the window. No one mentions how effective it is when it works 99% of the time, yet as soon as they concede a goal from a set piece, Andy Gray comes out and starts ranting about the marking. Whether its zonal or man, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that the players are thoroughly drilled and implement their system perfectly during the match.
Liverpool's set-piece defending was terribly slack, but it was down to individual mistakes and lapses of concentration - not the system.
Tom Fitzgerald
Fantasy Football
You've got to love the Champions League.
However, last night's results were eclipsed by my game of Football Manager (2005 edition) which was running on my laptop whilst watching Sky Sports last night.
As Drogba scored in the real world, my elation was heightened by the news from my laptop world that Norwich City had captured the signing of Dennis Bergkamp, and that the clubs Finance Director had predicted an increase in revenue due to shirt sales.
What a night.
Jonno McSchmonno
