The Champions League draw takes place tomorrow and Liverpool entertain Chelsea this weekend. So what better opportunity to look back at their European rivalry that spanned across five seasons? Between 2005 and 2009, the two teams met in five consecutive Champions League seasons. It’s pretty evenly split between the two as well – Liverpool and Chelsea advanced on two occasions each, the fifth an eventless group stage meeting which might as well be counted as a draw. Let’s rewind back to 2005, when the pair first met.
2004/05 season: semi-final
Liverpool progress thanks to Luis Garcia’s controversial goal
This was Jose Mourinho’s and Rafa Benitez’s first season in English football. The former enjoyed domestic success, while the latter relied on European glory for redemption. The first leg at Stamford Bridge was a stalemate. A week later, Garcia scored just five minutes in, and Liverpool held on to proceed to Istanbul. It was one of those trademark ‘European nights’ at Anfield, although the goal scored was a controversial one as the ball didn’t appear to cross the line. But perhaps it was all worth it as Liverpool staged arguably the greatest comeback ever in the final against a much fancied Milan side.
2005/06 season: group stage
Both encounters finish goalless
Back then, there were no restrictions on clubs from the same nation being drawn in the same group. This tie is perhaps at best forgotten, as there were no goals, no controversies, and after all, it was a group stage tie. Both teams progressed from this group as you would expect.
2006/07 season: semi-final
Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool, Liverpool win 4-1 on penalties
Nothing too dramatic here, just a couple of 1-0 wins followed by penalty shootout. Joe Cole’s first leg lead was cancelled out by Daniel Agger’s second leg strike. Both teams had chances but failed to make the most of them, as the match headed towards penalties. There’s always drama ensued in a penalty shootout. It was relatively comfortable for the hosts in the shootout as Geremi and Arjen Robben both missed for the Blues. Dirk Kuyt then scored the winning penalty to send Liverpool to the finals. But the Reds couldn’t repeat the heroics of Istanbul 2005 as Milan exacted revenge.
2007/08 season: semi-final
Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea, Chelsea win 4-3 on aggregate after extra-time
This was the fourth consecutive season in which the two teams met, and it was another classic encounter. In the second leg, Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres cancelled out each other to send the match to extra time. But a penalty from Frank Lampard and Drogba’s second ensured that Ryan Babel’s 117th minute strike was mere consolation. Chelsea progressed to their first ever Champions League final, and narrowly lost it on penalties to Manchester United.
2008/09 season: quarter-final
Chelsea win a memorable tie 7-5 on aggregate
This tie was perhaps the best way to end this five-year European saga. There were 12 goals in total and never a dull moment. After establishing a commanding 3-1 lead in the first leg at Anfield, Chelsea were favorites to progress. But a Fabio Aurelio free-kick and Xabi Alonso’s penalty gave Liverpool a real fighting chance at the break. In the second half, it was Chelsea’s turn to respond with Drogba and Alex levelling the scores in a six-minute frenzy. Lampard then put Chelsea ahead and the tie looked done and dusted yet again, but Liverpool again responded. Lucas Leiva and Dirk Kuyt once again put Liverpool on the brink. Another memorable European comeback was on the cards for Liverpool as they needed just one more. But Lampard scored in the 89th minute to cap an enthralling game of football, and one of the classic European ties.
So that’s it. In the course of five seasons, the two teams delivered some classic encounters full of drama, controversy and goals. It’s shame they haven’t met since then, with Liverpool only prominently returning to Europe’s top table late in the 2010s decade. They did meet in the UEFA Super Cup final in 2019, which was another thrilling affair, only settled by a penalty shootout. Here’s to hoping that we get to see some of that drama this weekend.