The Liverpool Offside - Liverpool v. Chelsea, 04.27.14Zeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2014-04-27T18:00:04+01:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/54204152014-04-27T18:00:04+01:002014-04-27T18:00:04+01:00Liverpool 0, Chelsea 2: Bruised Pride, Dented Hope
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<img alt="Me too, Stevie. Me too." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qaLeko4VvmW0n_lXa8XS32z5UwU=/0x167:4000x2834/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32222559/487068299.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Me too, Stevie. Me too. | Clive Brunskill</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool got out-worked and out-thought by Chelsea, and their title hopes have taken a severe blow as a result. </p> <p>The one thing that <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool</a> absolutely could not do today was lose. So what do they do? Play right in to Jose Mourinho's hands, and lose. <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> were the last team to beat Liverpool, all the way back in December, and now they've ended the 11-match win streak with a resounding thud.</p>
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<p><b>Liverpool 0</b><br><b>Chelsea 2</b> <i>Ba 45+3', Willian 90+4'</i></p>
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<p>I'm not going to sit here and further the "Mourinho is a negative tactic so-and-so" storyline. There's going to be enough of that floating around today, and there was frankly way too much of it during the buildup to the match. The fact of the matter is that Mourinho and his staff put together a gameplan that was smart and effective, and Liverpool had a very difficult time finding a way to beat it.</p>
<p>Yes, they sat deep and looked to absorb pressure and hit on the counter. But between the occasion and the available team, playing for the counter just made sense. The front line of Andre Schurrle, <span>Demba Ba</span>, and <span>Mohamed Salah</span> (and Willian when he came on) are built for that kind of direct play that lets them run on to a ball in space and take it strraight at the defense. Without any of his main playmakers, playing to that strength just made sense for Mourinho to do.</p>
<p>The timewasting was certainly annoying, especially with how early it started. But you know what? That just made it all the more important for Liverpool to take full advantage of the opportunities they got, because they had to know they wouldn't get as many as they're used to, and that Chelsea would be sure to punish any mistakes Liverpool made on the break.</p>
<p>What was more frustrating than anything Chelsea did was that Liverpool did <i>not</i> take full advantage of their chances. Too often the ball was going to <span>Lucas Leiva</span> or <span>Joe Allen</span> in the box instead of Luis Suarez or <span>Raheem Sterling</span>, and the Kop was left wanting more as a result. That plus the bizarre, match-long obsession with crossing for headers in to the box, something that's almost never worked for Liverpool this season and certainly didn't make sense today, made for a long and frustrating match.</p>
<p>Did Liverpool create some good chances? Sure. Just after the 10th minute, Suarez picked out <span>Philippe Coutinho</span> and put the ball in for him on a dime, but the Brazilian's volley only found the side netting. Several minutes later, a Lucas shot off a corner was cleared off the line, and a follow-up from Sakho went well over the bar.</p>
<p>Sadly, "close, but no cigar" moments like that became far too typical for Liverpool today. Several other first half chances were much the same, and as halftime approached it seemed that Liverpool were willing to take the 0-0 scoreline in to the locker room to draw up a new plan.</p>
<p>Then, disaster.</p>
<p>A pass to <span>Steven Gerrard</span> in a seemingly benign moment during the first half added time was horribly miscontrolled (or just plain missed), and a slip as he tried to recover just made things worse. Demba Ba picked up the loose ball and was off to the races. Gerrard gave it his best effort, but it was too little too late, and there was nothing <span>Simon Mignolet</span> could do to stop Ba's free, unmarked shot.</p>
<p>The second half was pretty much a carbon copy of the first. More inability to break through Chelsea's defense. More useless crosses without a prayer of coming off. More just-off finishing (though Joe Allen had quite a crack of a shot that <span>Mark Schwarzer</span> did well to keep out). This time, though, we had the added fun of a mostly-useless <span>Daniel Sturridge</span> and desperation heaves from Steven Gerrard that were pretty much of zero value.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, and another added time mistake lead to another Chelsea goal. <span>Fernando Torres</span> was involved in the buildup. That happened. Ugh.</p>
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<p>The title challenge isn't over yet. The trophy isn't solely in their hands any more, but they're still arguable the strongest contender. If Liverpool can beat both <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/crystal-palace" class="sbn-auto-link">Crystal Palace</a> and <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Newcastle</a>, <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester City</a> will have to win out and at least maintain their goal differential advantage. Chelsea are technically still in the picture, but have to win out and hope both sides ahead of them in the odds falter down the stretch.</p>
<p>This match <i>has</i> to serve as a wakeup call. Despite the long win streak, Liverpool haven't exactly been in invincible form in recent weeks. The second half of the <a href="https://www.flightofthecanaries.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Norwich City</a> match should have proved that. Yes, Chelsea are a very good side who came out with an excellent (if unattractive to watch) game plan, but for Liverpool to be so hapless against them was a rather rough thing to see. They'll need to be vastly improved next weekend at Selhurst Park, and that won't be easy to do given Palace's recent form.</p>
<p>Winning the title was never going to be easy, but hopefully this result can kick things in to an even higher gear for these last two matches. Needing other results to go Liverpool's way isn't a great place to be in, but the squad have a task in front of them and need to do everything they can to accomplish it. Today was a setback, but not the deathknell. There's still hope.</p>
<p>We go again.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2014/4/27/5658050/liverpool-0-chelsea-2-match-recap-review-gerrard-slip-goals-ba-willianConor Dowley2014-04-27T16:01:36+01:002014-04-27T16:01:36+01:00Liverpool 0, Chelsea 2: First Thoughts
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<figcaption>Clive Brunskill</figcaption>
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<p>Chelsea frustrate Liverpool from start to finish at Anfield to put a damper on title hopes with a comfortable, controlled 2-0 win. </p> <p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
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<p><b>Liverpool 0</b><br><b>Chelsea 2:</b> <i>Ba 45+3', Willian 90+4'</i></p>
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<div align="justify">Pre-match was a sight to behold. Pictures and videos of the bus coming in, Anfield in full voice as the teams came out, and a terrific version of <i>You'll Never Walk Alone</i>. Occasion was set.</div>
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<div align="justify">Unfortunately the football wasn't, as Chelsea set up to stifle the match and prevent Liverpool from repeating the types of home performances that have seen them blow the opposition out of the water. The hosts had plenty of possession but very few chances, while Jose Mourinho's side were happy to break when given the chance.</div>
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<div align="justify">Philippe Coutinho's volley and Mamadou Sakho's skied effort were about as good as it got other than a curling shot from Luis Suarez that was comfortably over Mark Schwarzer's goal.</div>
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<div align="justify"><span><a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea's</a> best chances all came late; first when <span>Jon Flanagan</span> handled a <span>Mohamed Salah</span> shot, with Martin Atkinson waving it off, and then on a Tomas Kalas open header that spun harmlessly wide. Unfortunately their third gave them the lead--<span>Steven Gerrard</span> took a loose touch on a pass from Sakho in the middle of the pitch, and <span>Demba Ba</span> pounced into space past Gerrard to beat <span>Simon Mignolet</span> and give the visitors the lead. Catastrophe.</span></div>
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<span><span>Daniel Sturridge</span> came on for Lucas just before the hour mark to provide more attacking impetus, but things were more or less the same. <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool's</a> regression to aimless crosses continued, and Chelsea maintained their defensive shape and solidity.</span><br>
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<div align="justify"><span>Gerrard's shots from distance barely troubled Schwarzer, and were more a sign of frustration and desperation than any actual offensive threat. </span></div>
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<div align="justify"><span>A WILD ASPAS APPEARS AND PLAYS A TREMENDOUS ONE-TWO!!1! And then passes it straight to a Chelsea player, but oh, how he lived!</span></div>
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<div align="justify"><span>Strange sense of inevitability as the final minutes played out--Liverpool out of ideas and flummoxed, Chelsea cool and composed as their opponents punched wildly and unsuccessfully. The late Suarez shot straight at Schwarzer was pushed away without much bother, and minutes later <span>Fernando Torres</span> laid off for Willian to tap in to an empty net for a 2-0 win.</span></div>
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<div align="justify"><span>Not gone, but title chances are now out of Liverpool's hands. Need six more points, and this one can't be forgotten soon enough. </span></div>
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<p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
<p align="justify">We'll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today's game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven't already, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373">join the community on the Liverpool Offside,</a> where we'll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2014/4/27/5658018/liverpool-0-chelsea-2-gerrard-slip-ba-goal-tactics-Ed-2014-04-27T12:00:03+01:002014-04-27T12:00:03+01:00Matchday: Liverpool v. Chelsea
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<figcaption>Alex Livesey</figcaption>
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<p>Team sheets, ways to watch, and live coverage as Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield.</p> <p><b>Kickoff:</b> 2:05PM BST/9:05AM EST</p>
<p><b>Ways to Watch:</b> Sky Sports 1 in the UK and NBCSN/<a href="http://stream.nbcsports.com/liveextra/" target="_blank">NBC Sports Live Extra</a> in the US</p>
<p><b>Preview: </b><a href="http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2014/4/26/5654660/liverpool-vs-chelsea-preview-team-news-injuries-tv-schedule" target="_blank">Liverpool v. Chelsea</a></p>
<p><b>Comment:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373">Join the conversation on the Liverpool Offside</a></p>
<p align="center"><img style="border: 5px solid white;" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" alt="liverpool blog fc sbn"></p>
<p><b>Liverpool:</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Mignolet<br>Johnson Skrtel Sakho Flanagan<br>Lucas Gerrard Allen<br>Coutinho Sterling<br>Suarez</p>
<p>Bench: Jones, Toure, Agger, Cissokho, Alberto, Aspas, Sturridge</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Chelsea:</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Schwarzer <br>Azpilicueta Kalas Ivanovic Cole<br>Matic Mikel<br>Salah Lampard Schurrle<br>Ba</p>
<p>Bench: Hilario, Cahill, Torres, Willian, Van Ginkel, Ake, Baker</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2014/4/27/5655808/liverpool-vs-chelsea-streams-live-schedule-coverage-team-sheets-lineups-Ed-2014-04-27T03:00:10+01:002014-04-27T03:00:10+01:00Pre-Chelsea Overnight Open Thread
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<figcaption>Clive Rose</figcaption>
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<p>Five questions to pass the time as we wait for kickoff from Anfield.</p> <p>1) Agger or Sakho?</p>
<p>2) Where does Lucas figure into the line-up?</p>
<p>3) Who, if any, of Luis Suarez, <span>Daniel Sturridge</span>, or <span>Raheem Sterling</span> scores?</p>
<p>4) How many substitutions does <span>Brendan Rodgers</span> use, who comes on, and when?</p>
<p>5) Will Jose Mourinho actually start his alleged B team, as he claimed he would do in his mindgames meltdown earlier this week?</p>
<p>Bonus: What's your favourite pre-match pump up song?</p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZSS5dEeMX64"></iframe></p>
<p><i>"We must be swift as a coursing river<br>With all the force of a great typhoon<br>With all the strength of a raging fire<br>Mysterious as the dark side of the moon"</i></p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2014/4/27/5645828/pre-chelsea-overnight-open-threadStitch Invader2014-04-26T18:00:05+01:002014-04-26T18:00:05+01:00How Liverpool Can Beat Chelsea
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<figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool face a supremely difficult test tomorrow, but if they can win they can take a massive step forward toward securing the title. Yeah, that's still weird to say.</p> <p>Facing down against Jose Mourinho with the title on the line is never an easy task. For all of the criticisms he faces for his tactical style, Mourinho's squads are very organized and tend to be at their best in the biggest matches. Even if Mourinho does go with a weakened side as is believed (and should be taken with a massive heap of salt), <span>Brendan Rodgers</span> has a monumentally tough job ahead.</p>
<p>Can it be done? You bet your sweet scarf it can.</p>
<p>Liverpool come in to this match with two massive advantages. First, they're at home, and Anfield has returned to it's fortress-like glory this season, where no visitors are safe. Second, after last week's results (thanks, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a>!), Liverpool can afford a draw, meaning they don't have to go with all-out aggression as they did against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> two weeks ago.</p>
<p>That second point could be the most important tomorrow. We know from experience that Liverpool can sit back and absorb pressure well, and are ruthlessly effective on the counter thanks to <span>Raheem Sterling</span> and Luis Suarez. If <span>Daniel Sturridge</span> is healthy enough to star, that would make the counter even more effective.</p>
<p>While normally you might think that Chelsea would be able to withstand the counter well, there's several reasons to think that they'll be vulnerable to it tomorrow. First and foremost, they've had issues with it all season long; they get too eager going forward against organized defenses and has frequently gotten torn to shreds on the transition, especially when <span>Frank Lampard</span> and <span>John Obi Mikel</span> have been involved in midfield as they're expected to be tomorrow.</p>
<p>Also, with rotation at the back expected and <span>John Terry</span> out injured, Chelsea will be playing with a non-standard defense that probably hasn't had much time playing together, whether in matches or in practice. With the back line vulnerable, especially with the aging legs of <span>Ashley Cole</span> expected to start, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> speed and skill in transition could be just what the doctor ordered to knock the Blues out of the title fight and put one hand on the trophy.</p>
<p>Even with this in mind, it's going to be a long match for Liverpool. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea's</a> "B" unit is nothing to shake a stick at; the likes of Andre Schurrle, <span>Demba Ba</span>, Frank Lampard, and Nemanja Matic are a dangerous group of players and cannot be underestimated. Schurrle and Lampard in particular will need to be dealt with with great care by Liverpool's defense and midfield, lest they get free and wreak havoc.</p>
<p>The key will be staying diligent in zone responsibilities. <span>Steven Gerrard</span> and whichever of <span>Joe Allen</span> or <span>Lucas Leiva</span> start will have their hands full shielding the back line and keeping Chelsea to find space to exploit. Any mistakes made will almost certainly be punished with lethal precision; Liverpool should probably consider themselves lucky that <span>Eden Hazard</span> is unlikely to play, because he's a much better version of the type of player Liverpool have struggled with all season.</p>
<p>Tomorrow's going to be a long, stressful day. Liverpool can definitely win, but it will take a performance of the best quality and absolute precision focus. We know the Reds can win under these circumstances; let's hope they can do it one more time. Three matches left. Seven points needed. We go again.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2014/4/26/5654538/how-liverpool-can-beat-chelsea-tactical-preview-screw-you-joseConor Dowley2014-04-26T15:00:03+01:002014-04-26T15:00:03+01:00Preview: Liverpool v. Chelsea
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<figcaption>Michael Steele</figcaption>
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<p>Team news, ways to watch, and a full preview as Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield in the latest potential title decider.</p> <p>Three left to play. All the pressure, all the narratives, all the mind games, all the ETW and ETB comes down to nine points across the next three weeks. Tomorrow against Chelsea at Anfield, a nasty trip to Selhurst Park and <span>Tony Pulis</span>' resilient <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/crystal-palace">Crystal Palace</a> side, and the final day of the season, likely with everything left to play for, in front of the home supporters once again as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a> visit.</p>
<p>There's almost too much romance to consider, but if there's one thing in which we can be confident, it's that <span>Brendan Rodgers</span> will have his side both grounded and prepared for the task at hand. There have been more than a few potential slip-ups along the way, and at every turn--at least in their last eleven--they've managed to get a result.</p>
<p>Tomorrow could be the most significant result, one that would eliminate Chelsea from the title race for good and edge <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> ever closer to their first Premier League title. And it should be entirely straightforward, what with Jose Mourinho promising a weakened side and eyes on the second leg of their Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid and <i>that</i> 1-2 result to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a> at Stamford Bridge last weekend. Right? Right. Probably not.</p>
<p>Mourinho does have some reason for concern; <span>John Terry</span>, Petr Cech, and <span>Eden Hazard</span> have been ruled out through injury and Ramires will serve the first of a four match ban for striking <span>Seb Larsson</span> in the face last Saturday. With Atletico's visit looming large, Mourinho has hinted/jinx-hinted at going with a weakened side--effectively ruling out most of those who started on Tuesday--but <a href="http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27162437" target="_blank">Rodgers' words a</a><a href="http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27162437" target="_blank">ren't just <i>mind games</i></a>:</p>
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<p>"I've seen some things written about them playing a weaker team but I think it's hugely disrespectful to their players if they're deemed to be the weaker ones in the squad. Whatever team they put out, it'll cost more money than ours and it'll be more experienced than ours."</p>
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<p>Accounting for those injured and rested for the Champions League, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea's</a> lineup could possibly include <span>Mark Schwarzer</span> in goal, Tomas Kalas, <span>Gary Cahill</span>, Branislav Ivanovic, and either <span>Ashley Cole</span> or Nathan Ake at the back, with Nemanja Matic, <span>Frank Lampard</span>, and <span>John Obi Mikel</span> in the midfield, and <span>Mohamed Salah</span>, Andre Schurrle, and <span>Demba Ba</span> up front.</p>
<p>For Liverpool:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Mignolet<br>Johnson Skrtel Sakho Flanagan<br>Lucas Gerrard Allen<br>Sterling Coutinho<br>Suarez</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Mignolet<br>Johnson Skrtel Sakho Flanagan<br>Gerrard<br>Allen Coutinho<br>Sterling<br>Suarez Sturridge</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Daniel Sturridge</span> will hopefully be available, though as of yesterday he wasn't confirmed as fit for selection. <span>Jordan Henderson</span> will serve the second of his three match ban, while Jose Enrique continues to see out the rest of the season on the treatment table. <span>Victor Moses</span> misses out due to terms of his loan agreement.</p>
<p>Everything hinges on whether or not Sturridge is available--how Liverpool line up in the midfield and how they look going forward will be dictated by the fitness of the 20-goal man. Without him in the starting eleven I would guess we see something similar to what we did at Norwich. If Sturridge is ready, then we know the plan, then it's likely back to the diamond or some variant of what Liverpool's done in home matches against <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton</a> and <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal</a>.</p>
<p>Few other changes seem likely; <span>Daniel Agger</span> could come back into the eleven for <span>Mamadou Sakho</span> after the Frenchman's relatively shaky display at Norwich, but that would be the only alteration to an eleven that's otherwise going to be settled barring fitness concerns until Henderson's ban expires.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Kickoff is set for 2:05PM BST/9:05AM EST, with Sky Sports 1 carrying coverage in the UK and NBCSN/<a target="_blank" href="http://stream.nbcsports.com/liveextra/">NBC Sports Live Extra</a> airing the match live in the US. Our coverage will start with the overnight open thread tonight and carry into the matchday post early tomorrow, which will have team sheets an hour before kickoff. Hope you'll be around to join us--if you haven't already, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373" target="_blank">sign up for an SBNation profile</a> and stick around.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2014/4/26/5654660/liverpool-vs-chelsea-preview-team-news-injuries-tv-schedule-Ed-