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Played
November 29, 2011 2:45 PM EST
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee:‬ P. Dowd‎
Attendance:‬ 40511‎
 
 
 
Martin Kelly 64′
   
 
 

Player Ratings: Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool

Craig Bellamy stars as goal from Maxi and Martin Kelly help disciplined Liverpool coast into the League Cup semifinals at the expense of disappointing Chelsea

By Wayne Veysey

  • Ross Turnbull
    36
    42
    3.00

    Ross Turnbull

    Spread himself well to save Carroll's drilled penalty but his handling was unconvincing and struggled to command his box.

  • David Luiz
    36
    62
    2.50

    David Luiz

    Could have been sent off before halftime but survived to deliver another frantic, error-ridden center half performance.

  • José Bosingwa
    28
    51
    3.00

    José Bosingwa

    One of Chelsea's brighter performers, although that is not saying much. Got no reward for some excellent first-half deliveries from the right flank.

  • Alex
    24
    63
    2.50

    Alex

    Rose like an NBA player to scoop Enrique's cross out of the sky with his hand, and could have few complaints about the subsequent penalty. Struggled to deal with Carroll's height and power.

  • Ryan Bertrand
    32
    41
    3.00

    Ryan Bertrand

    Encouraging display but went missing for Liverpool's opening goal when he was caught badly out of position.

  • Oriol Romeu
    68
    35
    3.50

    Oriol Romeu

    Constructive, even silky, in possession and screened his defence well. Easily the most impressive Chelsea midfielder on view.

  • Frank  Lampard
    25
    59
    2.50

    Frank Lampard

    Began on the right of the midfield diamond and moved to the tip when McEachran limped. Did not convinced in either role although he never flagged in his desire to pull Chelsea back into the game.

  • Florent Malouda
    17
    57
    2.50

    Florent Malouda

    Hit the bar with a header but was otherwise ineffective on the left of Chelsea's diamond. Subbed in the second half.

  • Josh McEachran
    25
    48
    2.50

    Josh McEachran

    An unhappy evening for the Chelsea youngster. Looked crestfallen when he limped off in the first half after failing to shake off a knock. Had failed to impress at the tip of the midfield diamond up to that point.

  • Fernando Torres
    118
    134
    2.00

    Fernando Torres Flop of the Match

    Apologetic and anonymous display from the £50 million man. Received little service from a hesitant midfield but made little headway against Liverpool's re-jigged defense. After a brief revival looks like he has reached rock bottom again.

  • Romelu Lukaku
    31
    55
    2.50

    Romelu Lukaku

    Foraged hard alongside Torres up front but looked off the pace, which is not surprising given that he has not played for five weeks. Withdrawn when Liverpool went 2-0 up.

Substitutions

  • Ramires
    32
    43
    3.00

    Ramires

    Brought greater energy to Chelsea's midfield but his distribution was hit-and-miss.

  • Juan Mata
    41
    35
    3.00

    Juan Mata

    Knocked it around nicely but the game was almost won by the time he was summoned from the bench.

  • Nicolas Anelka
    29
    54
    3.00

    Nicolas Anelka

    Could not quite find his way past Reina with one of Chelsea's best chances of the game.

  • José Reina Paez
    110
    18
    3.00

    José Reina Paez

    Had far less to do than he would have expected. The saves he had to make were completed with little fuss.

  • Sebastián Coates
    156
    15
    3.50

    Sebastián Coates

    Lacked composure at times but his telescopic legs got him out of trouble on a number of occasions and he also made some excellent headed clearances. Cleared Luiz's header off the line after 55 minutes.

  • Jamie Carragher
    109
    18
    3.50

    Jamie Carragher

    Like he had never been away. Barked out orders like a sergeant major and ensured his teammates stuck to their disciplined task.

  • Martin Kelly
    159
    12
    4.00

    Martin Kelly

    Chelsea's narrow midfield meant he was often the spare man for Liverpool and made the most of it with some lung-busting runs down the right flank. The icing on the cake came with his bundled header, his first goal for the club. Defended solidly too..

  • José Enrique
    112
    15
    3.00

    José Enrique

    Rarely lets his standards drop and this was another dynamic display at left back. Helped win the penalty with the excellent cross that was handled by Alex.

  • Maxi Rodríguez
    139
    16
    3.50

    Maxi Rodríguez

    Scored the opening goal at the Bridge for the second time in 10 days with a smart first-time finish. Did not make the most of all the excellent positions he got into but surely deserves more opportunities in the league.

  • Jordan Henderson
    118
    14
    3.50

    Jordan Henderson

    An encouraging display in the Kuyt position on the right flank topped with a fabulously weighted pass to set Bellamy free to set up Maxi for the opening goal.

  • Jay Spearing
    112
    21
    3.50

    Jay Spearing

    Tigerish and tenacious, he never gave Chelsea's midfield time to settle on the ball.

  • Lucas Leiva
    180
    18
    4.00

    Lucas Leiva

    Titanic at Stamford 10 days ago and equally formidable tonight as he dominated the midfield alongside his sidekick Spearing. Incredible energy levels and commitment given the Man City assignment 48 hours previously. A big worry for Liverpool that he injured his knee in a clash with Mata and was stretchered off midway through the second half.

  • Andy Carroll
    94
    53
    3.50

    Andy Carroll

    Held the ball up well in the battering ram role and did a fine job of bringing his colleagues into play. Unconvincing penalty attempt, which he drilled straight at Turnbull.

  • Craig Bellamy
    240
    20
    4.00

    Craig Bellamy Top of the Match

    Wiped away tears from the minute's applause for his friend Gary Speed to deliver a menacing display oozing with nusiance value. He set up Liverpool's two goals, first with a perfectly weighted pass to Maxi and then a fizzing free kick on to Kelly's head.

Substitutions

  • Martin Skrtel
    81
    17
    0.00

    Martin Skrtel

    Replaced Maxi with one minute left.

  • Charlie Adam
    93
    22
    3.00

    Charlie Adam

    Stepped in for the injured Lucas in the last 20 minutes to secure victory for his team.

Results
Matchday 1
Times In EDT
 
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Theo Walcott Theo Walcott
Striker
Arsenal
5 0
Andreas  Weimann Andreas Weimann
Striker
Aston Villa
4 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa
4 0
Jonathan De Guzmán Jonathan De Guzmán
Midfielder
Swansea City
3 1
Luciano Becchio Luciano Becchio
Striker
Norwich City
3 1