Reds ruin Torres' Blues bow

Meireles strike dents Chelsea's title bid and lifts Liverpool into sixth

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 7th February 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Chelsea v Liverpool Chelsea fan Fernando Torres scarf and shirt

No doubting who the star of the show was prior to kick-off

Chelsea v Liverpool Didier Drogba

Drogba was kept quiet by Johnson and the Reds' back five

Chelsea v Liverpool Martin Skrtel Fernando Torres

No way through for Torres as Skrtel blocks his path

Raul Meireles Liverpool celeb v Chelsea

Meireles celebrates grabbing the only goal of the game
Man of the match: Steven Gerrard was Liverpool's inspiration and led by example.

Moment of the match: Maxi Rodrigues somehow managed to hit the bar from six-yards out in the first period.

Attempt of the match: It looked like the Fernando Torres of old when he was about to pull the trigger in the box, but Jamie Carragher made a superb block to deny him.

Save of the match: Pepe Reina had little to do but his block from Florent Malouda was vital.

Talking point: Fernando Torres' debut was the obvious headline maker before the game, but he was well below-par and it will be interesting to see how far Chelsea are prepared to go to accommodate their new £50m striker.

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Raul Meireles ensured Fernando Torres endured an afternoon to forget on Sunday, with Liverpool claiming a 1-0 win away at Chelsea.

All the talk prior to kick-off was of the Blues' £50million forward, but he got little change out of a Reds outfit set up by Kenny Dalglish to frustrate and nullify the hosts' considerable attacking threat.

In the end it was Meireles who stole the headlines, with the Portuguese playmaker grabbing the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge.

It took less than two minutes for the man of the moment to get away his first shot for his new club, but Torres' radar was off on this occasion as he curled into the stands after picking up a stray pass from former colleague Maxi Rodriguez.

Chelsea had already seen John Obi Mikel booked by that stage, with just 30 seconds on the clock when the Nigerian midfielder saw yellow for a clumsy challenge on Steven Gerrard.

The pre-match hype was overshadowing proceedings, with the first 15 minutes offering little more than some gentle sparring.

Both sides entered the tie knowing that rivals had slipped up on Saturday, with Chelsea chasing league leaders Manchester United and Liverpool hoping to oust Sunderland in sixth.

They were not prepared to take risks, though, with a Didier Drogba shot which deflected narrowly wide off Frank Lampard as close as either side came early on.

From the resulting goal-kick, Pepe Reina played Martin Skrtel into trouble and he was fortunate to force his way through Nicolas Anelka after turning straight into the Frenchman on the edge of the box.

Chelsea were seeing plenty of the ball at this stage, but a hooked cross from the buccaneering Ashley Cole summed up their efforts as no-one in blue was on hand to challenge inside the area.

Branislav Ivanovic, who Liverpool should have needed no introduction to following his European exploits in 2009, saw a couple of headers from corners flash wide, but Torres had his moment shortly after the half-hour mark.

Robust

Drogba slid an inch-perfect pass into his new strike partner, but the most expensive player in British football was unable to drill a low shot past a typically robust block from the returning Jamie Carragher.

The visitors should have taken the lead a couple of minutes later, but Maxi somehow failed to find the target from five yards out.

Gerrard drove across the face of goal and, having ghosted in at the back post, Liverpool's Argentinian forward skewed the ball onto the face of the crossbar off his ankle.

Chelsea's defence was rattled again in first-half stoppage-time, with Petr Cech and Ivanovic becoming embroiled in an angry exchange after colliding as they both went for a Martin Kelly delivery which posed no threat.

Liverpool settled into the second half quickly, spraying the ball around with confidence, but it was Drogba who had the first chance after the break, with Carragher doing just about enough to prevent the Ivorian from testing Reina with an acrobatic overhead kick.

On 53 minutes Dirk Kuyt contemplated throwing himself at a hanging cross, but opted instead to recycle possession and Glen Johnson lashed a fizzing shot inches over the top after being teed up 20 yards out.

Moments later Drogba saw an effort bundled behind, after Cole had tumbled inside the box but was waved back to his feet.

Anelka tried his luck from distance, as Liverpool stood off their former forward, but once again a defender in red was able put himself in the path of the ball and divert it away from goal.

It was no surprise on the hour mark to see activity on both benches, with Dalglish and Carlo Ancelotti contemplating changes after seeing Plan A draw a blank.

Anelka came close to breaking the deadlock before the alterations arrived, crashing a drilled shot past an upright, but it was apparent that fresh legs were required to add extra impetus to the game.

With 65 minutes gone, Torres' afternoon came to a premature end as he made way for Salomon Kalou - with his departure greeted with cheers and jeers from opposite ends of the ground.

Shackles

Within seconds of the Spaniard settling on the bench, Essien burst clear of his midfield shackles and lofted a left-footed effort over the top.

Then, on 69 minutes, the opening goal finally arrived, with Chelsea's failure to deal with a Gerrard cross from the right allowing the in-form Meireles to fire into the back of an unguarded net.

The response from the hosts was immediate, with Florent Malouda forcing a smart save from Reina shortly after replacing the ineffective Mikel.

Chelsea then handed a debut to the second of their big-money arrivals, with highly-rated Brazilian defender David Luiz introduced to the locals in place of Jose Bosingwa.

Dalglish was now happy to settle for a narrow victory, with the forward-thinking Maxi replaced by the defensively-minded Fabio Aurelio as Liverpool looked to shut up shop.

The Reds boss would have been concerned to see his side retreat further and further into their shell, but Chelsea's need to score saw them leave gaping holes at the back.

Aurelio almost benefited from those defensive frailties 10 minutes from time, as Liverpool countered at pace, but he saw a shot with his weaker right foot comfortably beaten away by Cech.

Liverpool then added further steel to their midfield ranks as Christian Poulsen allowed goal-hero Meireles to take a well-earned rest.

Chelsea huffed and puffed in pursuit of a leveller, with Ivanovic pushed forward to try and add another attacking threat, especially in the air.

Their efforts came to nothing, though, with Liverpool looking the more likely to add a second in the closing stages as Kuyt attempted to take advantage of the open space left in behind the Blues' back four.

Defeat leaves reigning champions Chelsea 10 points adrift of Manchester United, while Liverpool now sit sixth - six points adrift of the top four and dreaming of a UEFA Champions League spot which seemed so unlikely at the turn of the year.

ChelseaTeam StatisticsLiverpool
0Goals1
01st Half Goals0
1Shots on Target3
13Shots off Target3
6Blocked Shots2
4Corners3
10Fouls10
3Offsides2
1Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
83.7Passing Success78.4
16Tackles21
62.5Tackles Success76.2
57.4Possession42.6
53.7Territorial Advantage46.3
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Comments (127)

Karl Franz says...

Awesome display. King Kenny got it spot on. There was so called experts before the gaming questioning why Kenny was starting 3 at the back. I think they got an answer. Torres shouldn¿t have started not only has he put Anelka and Drogba¿s nose out of joint he has knock Fernando¿s confidence by subbing him early. What¿s Carlo going to do now? Start Fernando again or leave him on the bench? Whichever he chooses he¿s going to upset the apple cart more (Which can only help us). It¿s a long shot but hopefully we can push on up the table and get a champs league place. An outstanding game. Kuyt was excellent ran his socks off. Good to see Carra back. Lucas giving away silly free kicks on the edge of the box could have cost us but that¿s the only negative from an excellent super Sunday. Keep it up lads! YNWA

Posted 09:57 7th February 2011

Paddy Manc says...

I have to say great win for liverpool yesterday totally out played chelsea strategicaly BUT this is as far as liverpool will reach this season, 6th is all your good enough to achieve. Spurs and Chelsea have much better quality squads with strength and depth, they have players that come off the bench and change things something that liverpool dont have and lets be honest liverpools 25 man squad is a joke for a club that size. EUROPA LEAGUE AGAIN WHILE WE WIN THE LEAGUE FOR THE 19TH TIME HAHAHA :)

Posted 09:57 7th February 2011

C F (liverpool) says...

Great win lads, knew we had it in us to go and do it. Just takes the right manager to be there and to understand the game. Kenny may have been 10 years out of managment but it's football the only thing that has changed in todays game is the sums of money and the egos. Kenny has come in and got loyalty from the players and a hunger in the team to win I see a glimps of the Liverpool teams of old. We have to go forward now and keep up this performance and consistancy. KING KENNY to stay on for as long as he wants, your never too old I mean look at that ald fella at united he's still doing it for them and he's a good bit older than Kenny. YNWA ever Liverpool.

Posted 09:36 7th February 2011

Alf Hucker says...

Can i just say that what a great team performance all round and the sour chelski fans saying they didnt play well...the king didnt give you the option to play (tactically) he hail the king is a genius Your ageing and ageing very quickly...i seen lampard & drogra looking at zimmer frames over the weekend maybe roman £££££ will get you some (with a motor) And for this guy fernando they kept on abt all week who is he?? they paid £50 million for him and substituted him after 65 minutes well done carlo if only you was a genius to. Y.N.W.A

Posted 09:29 7th February 2011

Jonah Specter (Chelsea fan) says...

I can't believe how bad a decision substituting Torres was, and it really makes one wonder if Ancelloti has a clue what he is doing. It was probably a mistake to start him, and he should have been brought on when the Liverpool defence were already tired, towards the end of the match. But, having started him, not allowing him to finish the game, when he was the only player on the pitch who had not played for a week, and he had not done much in the game, so must have still had a lot of energy left, was just a disaster. It killed the mood of the game even more than the poor performance, and it took away the chance for him to score the winner, which would have lifted him and Chelsea massivley for the rest of the season, whereas now, instead, he probably feels dejected, and the team need lifting again. It was like a subsitution made when 4-0 up, and he has already scored a hat-trick, but for some reason it was made at only 0-0. Rule number one:- Do not take away the opportunity for a super high profile £50million signing to score the winning goal against his former club on his debut, it is morale suicide for the fans, the team and the player. Abramovich should seriously consider looking for a new manager, just because of that one redulous substitution (and it is not as if it is his first one).

Posted 06:19 7th February 2011

David Clegg says...

Great to see Kenny back doing what he does best great player great manager great guy. Dave Sunderland Fan

Posted 05:05 7th February 2011

Martin Cooke (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Fully deserved win. How long will Roman give Ancellotti? Leaving out Malouda was big mistake allowing Lpool to pack the centre with banks of 5 and 4. Too late to catch the race for top 4 because every game is tough and you'll still struggle when teams sit deep and hit you on the counter.

Posted 04:30 7th February 2011

Paul Quince (Chelsea fan) says...

From my point of view, Liverpool had the answers (Steve Clarke?) and we didn't, Torres or no Torres. They had a good strategy, their defence was almost impregnable, our players skirted around their defence , couldnt break in effectively, and it was a very dreary match from Chelsea. But on the positive side, it was hard to see our new striker signing slot in immediately. Their goal was only down to a goof up between Cech and Ivanovic, who seemed unsettled after their earlier misunderstanding. We will get Torres in the groove hopefully, Luiz looks sharp, and pleasing start with him. Topping the Prem is a super tall order now, but still plenty to play for, our place in Europe for one! All in all another bad day at the office from us, and a smart game from Liverpool.

Posted 03:14 7th February 2011

Mark Samson (Chelsea fan) says...

Well what really happened there then! Poor poor performance from the blues. There some bad decisions made which i still cannot really understand why they were made. What on earth bringing torres into a new team and playing his debut against liverpool really know doesnt take a rocket scientist to think thats a no no. Funny really how a lot of the liverpool fans are saying about a refund but end of the day it was one game against an on form team which were strong and had it in them for the win. As much as i hate liverpool well played game deserved the win and cummon chelsea sort it the hell out asap so we can get back on track because playing that way we wont need to worry about not winning the prem we need to be worrying about not even qualifiying for champs league and winning the fa cup again. Sort it out boys jeeze. Like an another chelsea lad said funny how all the glory supporters that have supported chelsea since they have become big are slating them. Really now you need to sort yourselves out and become proper fans. Lets get supporting and not slagging off and make as much bloody noise as you can possibly make because that effort from the fans were poor and there was no sign of any confidence boost or support for our chelsea lads. Lets not dwell on it and let get ready for the next game with an outstanding performace for ALL players and lets get those winning games pouring back in making other team fear our presence!!!!! CUMMON YOU BLUESSS!!!

Posted 02:17 7th February 2011

Nick Hadges (Chelsea fan) says...

Disgusting performance and deserved nothing from the game. Liverpool were so defensive and we could not break that down and just lacked total energy. What a horrible game to watch for the nuetrals and an amazing weekend. If I were Ancelotti I would have lost it at everyone in the change room for such a lack luster performance. I never want to see that again

Posted 01:32 7th February 2011

Sam Hatchett (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Liverpool won fair and square end of. Torres was rubbish virtually know if he was on the pitch. Kudos to Martin Kelly, Johnson, Kuyt, Meireles, Gerrard etc. It clearly shows dont need that money-grabbing mug Torres. I hope he rots at Chelsea. And it was brilliant Liverpool beat Chelsea so that my team are still level on points with Chelsea. Next week they travel to Craven Cottage and play Fulham away good luck there if they lose there and Spurs beat Sunderland all of a sudden Spurs are 3 points ahead lets hope that happens and that Spurs are did what they did to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Please play the same way you played against Bolton Wanderers when you face Sunderland next weekend.

Posted 01:11 7th February 2011

Ricardo Alves (Manchester City fan) says...

David Luiz is pure class. He is no ordinary defender. He makes his team play. But even his defender ability is way better than Ivanovic. He should be in the initial eleven.

Posted 00:59 7th February 2011

Chris White (Liverpool fan) says...

Fantastic Result...we needed this win to put pressure on Spurs and Chelsea. Sunderland lost and next weekends fixture is a massive one for Liverpool! Beat Wigan and Sunderland do us a favour versus Spurs and we're within 3 of Spurs and Chelsea!! We played as a unit and team today, Lucas brilliant, Johnson brilliant, Kelly - awesome...the whol team worked their socks offf. Chin up Maxi...and what a great pace about the game too. Snuffed out Torres and gave him no time on the ball at all to harm us. Drogba...still a threat but not potent. Ancelotti got the starting XI wrong, should have played Malouda and Kalou!! But can't take nothing away from the Reds today....superb... and Carroll and Suarez yet to join in the fun!! Don't let Liverpool overtake both Chelsea and Spurs and allow us Champions League Football...oh the irony!!

Posted 00:30 7th February 2011

Joe Betts (Chelsea fan) says...

Congrats to Liverpool on doing the double over us. We did not look like premier league champions today.....simple as that. Mikel slows down our game and should not be in that Chelsea side. Lampard is starting to lose it also. Malouda has been our best player for a while now and he starts off on the bench ????? I don't see why Carlo doesn't play Essien in the holding midfield role every game, Essien is literally the rock in our team who can hold that midfield together. Torres looked sharp which is all i expected in his first game. When Carlo gets his head on straight and figures out a formation for Malouda, Drogba, Torres and Anelka then I can see us challenging for the trophies again. Kenny worked magic today so congratulations again Liverpool.

Posted 00:24 7th February 2011

Usmaan Omer (Liverpool fan) says...

Great team performance by the Reds, possibly best all season. Torres comfortably kept at bay and could already be regretting his decision. I would say we have now a realistic chance to finish 4th. YNWA.

Posted 23:47 6th February 2011

Stefan Gauci (Manchester United fan) says...

This defeat to Liverpool serves Torres well. His big head in leaving a team to be rebuilt for a team in decline has been best served. That's what happens to players who do not show the loyalty to their clubs' cause. Happy Blues Feranado!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 23:36 6th February 2011

Paul Vickers (Liverpool fan) says...

Oh my, i was well looking forward to the game, ive been so sick of hearing what a wonderful team Chelsea are, they are an ageing team, i am so surprised that a Billionaire owner has left it so long to clear out the likes of Terry, Lampard and Drogba, sometimes it is money that buys it all, and sometimes its sheer grit and determination that prevails. Come on you red men, we can go from strength to strength, we can get tat fourth place and go from there!!

Posted 23:30 6th February 2011

Kevin Wolfenden (Liverpool fan) says...

Look Chelsea fans you need to come to terms with the fact that yes you have signed a excellent forwrd but he has NEVER won anything and with you now being ten points a drift you may well add another season to that record. Maybe Torres is a curse? Liverpool went from Fa cup finals, 2nd place finishes (i know torres was with us that season) and champions league finals to mid table fodder! I loved Torres in a red shirt like many fans did but maybe he is a player any team relies on too much and thus causing issues with winning cups and leagues. He has sent the last 2 years in and out of the medicial room at Melwood. Who says that will end now he has moved? End of the day Chelsea even tho I hate to say this I now have to pray Arsenal can catch Man Utd cos you won't as you will not find a balance for your 3 very good Stirkers. Ultimately you will lose one of them in the summer and this maybe your downfall

Posted 23:22 6th February 2011

Richie Airche (Liverpool fan) says...

First of all i want to congratulate and appreciate all liverpool fans for thier belif in the team even when we were going through though times we neva worked alone. All hail king kenny, first the formation was just perfect, and the team spirit was oustanding. Yes we lost torres in our squad he is still an excellent player and i wish him the best at chelsea. Our new signings as regards suarez and carrol i beleive will put us through they are just excelent young talented fowards, carrager (mr liverpool) and kelly was just fantastic and kudos to roy hodgson for bringin in raul mereiles. As for chelsea it just wasnt ur day, torres was bought with a whole lot of billz and u cant bench him. To anceloti thanks for not using malouda that was a costly mistake u made and we lfc fans are hapy 4 that. Let all lfc join hands and support king kenny bringing our beloved club to greatness thanks for the owners and please keep doing d good works ''YOU WILL NEVER WORK ALONE''

Posted 23:20 6th February 2011

Joao Mendes (Barcelona fan) says...

Liverpool outplayed Chelsea, by being solid and through superior team work. Everyone talks about Torres, and Gerrard and Drogba, but I think that Liverpool owes part of its recent success not only to Dalglish but also Meireles. Only few people talk about the quality of Meireles´s game, the game thinking, the passing the positioning and intention in his game. Give him more ball and more influence in Liverpool´s midfield and he will play and make others play a very good quality football.

Posted 23:15 6th February 2011

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