Liverpool to edge out Blues

Liverpool can bounce back from John Arne Riise’s last-minute clanger at Anfield by beating hosts Chelsea in the second-leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday evening. The Reds are a top-priced 5-2 with Boylesports.

Riise’s own goal gifted Chelsea a 1-1 draw, and a vital away score, which gives them the advantage in a tightly-knit encounter.

Throw in that Liverpool must score at Stamford Bridge for the first time in eight matches, and that Chelsea are unbeaten in their past 81 home games, and it would seem Liverpool have a mountainous task.

Football, though, is rarely that simple, and certainly not semi-finals of the Champions League.
Liverpool have been in good form in the league, and had the luxury of being able to rest players in a 2-2 draw at Birmingham on Saturday.

Chelsea, however, come into the match after a gruelling 2-1 victory over Manchester United, during which there were signs of tensions remaining in the camp.

Frank Lampard could return to their midfield, in which Michael Ballack has become increasingly influential, but the key player could be Liverpool’s Fernando Torres, a match-winner in any company.
Torres has enjoyed a fine season, which could have been even better had he not been regularly rotated out of the front line early in the campaign.

In truth, with so little between the sides each of the three outcomes is plausible, but the value, and the experience of getting results in this competition when it matters, lie with Liverpool.

Chelsea are best at 13-10 with Bet365, and the draw 11-5 with Paddy Power.