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Posts Tagged ‘didier-drogba’

• Chelsea striker says trip to Anfield will be a difficult one
• ‘We’re seeing a different Liverpool than earlier this season’

Didier Drogba is determined to end Liverpool’s mini-revival after grabbing his first European goal of the season for Chelsea in their 4-1 Champions League success against Spartak Moscow.

Chelsea’s victory last night ensured that they qualified for the knockout stages of the competition, with two goals from Branislav Ivanovic and another from Nicolas Anelka complementing Drogba’s penalty.

But Chelsea now face a difficult away trip to Liverpool on Sunday and Drogba, who captained the side against Spartak in the absence of the rested John Terry and the injured Frank Lampard, wants the Blues to maintain their healthy five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool’s poor start to the season under Roy Hodgson has improved in recent weeks with successive victories against Blackburn and Bolton.

“There is never a good time to go to Anfield because they are a very strong team,” said Drogba. “They will try to use this game to start their season, so we have to be ready.

“We are seeing a different Liverpool than the one from earlier in the season. They have won their last two matches and their confidence is getting higher.

“We have to be careful. It’s true that we shouldn’t fear any team but we’re going to have some difficult moments. Since I’ve been here, Chelsea v Liverpool has been special and it’s always a difficult game.

“The most difficult opponent is ourselves. We know if we lose points like we did last year we can be in trouble again. It’s down to us to keep winning and to keep the gap.

“It’s not easy. There are only a few teams who have done it before. When we lost against Manchester City, the reaction was good and that’s what we have to try to achieve.”

But Drogba is certainly not getting carried away by Chelsea’s position at the summit of both the English top flight and Group F of the Champions League.

He missed the opening two games of the European campaign through suspension and then a virus prevented him from playing in the first match against Spartak in Moscow.

A point against MSK Zilina at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight will ensure the Blues finish top of the group, but Drogba remains cautious over Chelsea’s chances of winning the trophy at Wembley in May.

“Last year we were in the same position,” added Drogba. “We qualified with two games to go and then we were out in the last 16. I can’t say I’m happy to have missed the first few games because I’d have preferred to help my team achieve victories.

“But I hope the break is going to help me in future games. It’s not easy because as a player you want to keep playing so you can find your best physical condition and understanding with your team-mates.

“I missed that a little bit before and that’s why sometimes it was difficult for me at the start of league games but hopefully now I am going to be able to play regularly.”

Didier DrogbaChelseaLiverpoolguardian.co.uk

Chelsea must feel nervous despite all the know-how in the squad. They may have avenged past tribulations in the Champions League, but there has been no Premier League win at Anfield since October 2005. However, this a good moment to break the sequence since Liverpool are disheartened after being knocked out of the Europa League. Impact is expected from Didier Drogba after his worst dry spell in the Premier League this season. He has gone three matches without a goal. Kevin McCarra

Venue Anfield, Sunday 1.30pm (Sky Sports 1) Tickets Sold out Last season Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0 Referee A Wiley

This season’s matches 25 Y78, R5, 3.32 cards per game

Odds Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea odds-on Draw 5-2

Liverpool

Subs from Mascherano, Benayoun, Ngog, Degen, Cavalieri, Darby, Ayala, Pacheco, El Zhar, Plessis

Doubtful Ngog (back), Kuyt (calf)

Injured Skrtel (metatarsal, 9 May), Aurélio (thigh, 9 May), Insúa (thigh, 9 May), Kelly (knee, Aug), Torres (knee, Jun) Suspended None

Form guide WWDDWL

Disciplinary record Y55 R5

Leading scorer Torres 18

Chelsea

Subs from Hilário, Turnbull, Ferreira, Zhirkov, Mikel, Hutchinson, Anelka, Sturridge, Bruma, Belletti, Kalou

Doubtful Mikel (knee/ankle), Drogba (groin)

Injured Carvalho (ankle, 9 May), Borini (hernia, Jun), Essien (knee, Jun), Bosingwa (knee, Aug)

Suspended None

Form guide WLWWWW Disciplinary record Y53 R5

Leading scorer Drogba 25

Match pointers

• Chelsea have failed to score in four of their last six league matches against Liverpool

• Statistically Anfield has been Chelsea’s least productive ground, losing 11 Premier League games there

• There has been a 90th-minute goal scored in each of the last two league games between these sides at Anfield

• These sides have conceded two long-range goals each this season, the best record in the division

• Chelsea need four goals to equal Manchester United’s Premier League record of 97 goals in a single season

LiverpoolChelseaPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk

The little big man is back! Yes, James Richardson returns to lead the Football Weekly team – that’s Messrs Ashdown, Ronay, and Duarte to you – in its latest battle with mediocrity (aka 6-0-6).

This week, having shown Manchester United a thing or two about free-flowing football, we’re asking whether Everton have the best midfield in the Premier League? Plus, after Manchester City and Liverpool played out the dullest game of the season, we assess the chances of Aston Villa or Tottenham Hotspur clinching that final Champions League spot.

Speaking of which, Chelsea travel to Internazionale this week for a special date with the Special One in Europe’s premier club competition. How will John Terry, Didier Drogba, and co fare against their former boss, José Mourinho? Paolo Bandini pops in to share his thoughts.

Finally, Sid Lowe tells us why Cristiano Ronaldo may or may not be, to quote the NME, a godlike genius (and if he is, what would Richard Dawkins have to say about it?)

Have a listen and post your feedback on the blog below. For more, we’re also on iTunes, Facebook, and Twitter, and if you enjoy this type of thing, get your daily dose of fooball with our tea-time email, The Fiver.

Apologies for all the coughing …

James RichardsonSid LoweBen GreenFernando DuarteJohn AshdownBarney RonayPaolo Bandini