Liverpool take it to the Blues

The Capital One Cup is down a few rungs in terms of importance to most football/soccer fans, but when rivalry match ups take place, it raises the stakes a little bit.  Such was the case in the first leg of the semifinal between Liverpool and Chelsea.  Most teams, especially ones that lead the table, would put out a team of reserves or at least a mixture of reserves and starters.  The Special One, Jose Mourinho, put out an especially strong squad given the situation his club is in.  It was also especially strong given the fact that only a day prior to the match, Mourinho said it was not possible for his club to win the English treble.

It was a match that had plenty to argue about, if you like criticizing the minute details that a referee must react on in mere seconds.  There were missed calls, including a handball by Thibaut Courtois that went uncalled - one that as a former goalkeeper, I could not be too mad at.  Both sides did their fair share of yelling and arguing at the officials.  However really, though you or I may not completely agree with the penalty given for Chelsea's only goal, the official really had a pretty good match.

Both teams had an overall good match and it was an entertaining game of football.  Chelsea showed glimpses of why they are one of the best teams in the world.  Even as a supporter of one of their chief rivals, I had to marvel at some of their work.  There was one play specifically in the second half where the one touch passing to get out of their own end was a marvel to see.  But equally pleasing to the eye was the way that Liverpool played.

The Reds attacked with no fear and defended well enough to win the game.  Unfortunately for them, they did not.  If the penalty had not been called, there may well have been a win in the fortunes of the Reds and the Kopites.  If they were not up against Courtois as well, there may have been a win instead of a draw as well.  Liverpool banged away at the frame, including in the literal sense when Steven Gerrard hit the post.  They out-shot the Blues 20-7 and out-chanced them 7-0.  Coutois had to prove how good he is to keep Liverpool out.

As mentioned, it was a rousing game that, if not for the the rivalry aspect, would be seen in almost totally positive light.  From a Liverpool perspective, they dominated possession for a good chunk of the game, they created several quality chances, they linked well, they defended well for the most part and took the game to Chelsea.  It was another good motivational game for Liverpool, if for no other reason than it gives them the belief they can still compete with the best teams in England.

By no means am I suggesting Liverpool are back.  As I have said in this space before and as many out there already know, this is a team that still has specific needs.  Regardless of whether the team sticks with a back three or goes with a back four, they have to at least find more reserves capable of stepping in and not having any drop off.  They have to settle the goalkeeper situation, whether it is to keep confidence in Simon Mingolet or bring in someone else.  They have to find a way to get goals from the strikers they have brought in or will bring in on a regular basis.  But those issues do not mean that this club has not made progress.

If you had asked even the most positive Liverpool fan a month or two ago if they could even pull out a draw with Chelsea, the poll would not favor the Reds by any stretch.  The calls for Brendan Rodgers' head..er I mean job have quieted, his choices are working and the team has found a cohesion and a realization that if you are going to play you had better play in the spot you are assigned, not the one you feel you are better suited.

Chelsea may yet win this semifinal.  They have the talent and they have the crowd.  Liverpool's inability to score that all-important go ahead goal may cost them a chance at the league cup.  Yet the idea that they outplayed Chelsea in any facet is uplifting.  Now their fate is truly in their hands.  Was this a great result?  No.  Only a win could be that.  Enough was measured and put forth, however, to show that this team is now truly worthy of wearing the Liverpool crest.  Walk on.

Random thoughts:

- I hate the way Chelsea packs it in.  It is just against my nature in what attracts me to sports in general, not just soccer.  I take nothing away from the team or the manager - though I strongly dislike the Special One.  It is smart strategy.  Get the lead and hold it.  It is just incredibly frustrating to watch a team charge and charge again but constantly have two or three defenders always around the ball.  Kudos to the Blues for having the talent to pull it off most of the time, but makes me ill in the stomach.

- The big question for the Reds is can they perform away from Anfield.  Though I have not had the pleasure of being there in person - yet - you can just tell that the place has a magic.  The crowd, the atmosphere, the ghosts of teams past have an affect on both the home squad and the visitors.  Even when the Blues were packing it in, the surge of the crowd could be felt, even through a computer.  When that crowd is not there, will Liverpool still have the courage and fortitude to attack?  Time will tell.

- An absolute gem of a goal from Raheem Sterling.  He is proving himself to be a good striker, but I think I'd still like to see him in a role a bit further back.  Great talent though.  Still has a bit to learn, but hopefully he'll be wearing Liverpool red for years to come.

- I did not know Mitre still made soccer products until I saw the ball for the match.

- You know you're a goalkeeper when your reaction to one of your rivals' keeper making a great save includes both high praise followed by a few expletive adjectives.

- As a former official, it really irritates me how every player on the field with the slightest gripe charges up and gets in the referee's face.  There was an excellent article on ESPN FC's website, which I can no longer find the link to, that spoke to this very thing.  While I did not agree with all the points, I do believe there needs to be less demonstrative behavior towards the ref.  Fans can do as they please, within reason.  Players need to get back to a point where they voiced their displeasure but went about their business instead of spraying the referee with drool from a few inches away for every call or non-call.